After the first phase of voting, Modi's campaign focused more on energizing the BJP's Hindu base by attacking his rivals as pro-Muslim.
- Modi seeks a rare third consecutive term.
- The Hindu nationalist party faces an alliance of two dozen parties.
- Modi casts his vote where BJP's Amit Shah is a candidate.
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi voted early as India held the third phase of a massive general election on Tuesday, calling for strong turnout even as he warned of the scorching summer heat.
The world's most populous nation began voting on April 19 in a seven-phase election in which nearly a billion people are eligible to vote, and ballots will be counted on June 4.
Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in a vote that pits his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against an alliance of more than two dozen opposition parties. Polls suggest he will win a comfortable majority.
“I urge all citizens to vote in large numbers and celebrate the festival of democracy… To all those who work in the heat, I urge you to take care of your health and drink enough water,” he said shortly after voting in his home. state of gujarat.
Modi cast his vote in the Gandhinagar constituency, where his number two, Home Minister Amit Shah, is the BJP candidate.
Dressed in white and saffron, Modi was surrounded by hundreds of supporters and party members, signing autographs and talking to children on his way to the polling booths.
Shah received him as people beat drums and rang bells.
Modi's campaign began by showcasing his economic record, welfare measures, national pride and personal popularity.
But it changed course after the first phase of voting on April 19 and focused more on energizing the BJP's Hindu base by attacking its rivals as pro-Muslim, even as polls say jobs and inflation are the main concerns. of the voters.
In an interview with the station times now Broadcast on Monday, Modi said he is not opposed to Islam or Muslims and wants the community to think about its future growth while voting.
Tuesday's poll covers 93 seats in 11 states and territories, with Gujarat and Maharashtra in the west and Karnataka in the south accounting for 50 seats. This would complete voting for 283 of the 543 elected seats in parliament.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP won more than 70 of the 93 seats available on Tuesday, but this time it faces tougher contests as the main opposition Congress party has gained strength in Karnataka and a regional partner has split in Maharashtra.
Voter turnout of 66.14% and 66.71% respectively in the first two phases has been slightly lower than the corresponding phases five years ago, with analysts blaming the summer heat and the lack of a single strong theme that motivate voters.
The Electoral Commission has since stepped up a campaign to encourage people to vote while consulting with weather officials and health and disaster management agencies to deal with the impact of the heatwave on Tuesday's vote.
“The weather conditions are expected to be within normal limits,” he said in a statement on the eve of the vote, calling on voters to “attend the polling stations in greater numbers and vote responsibly and proudly.”
It is also driving voter awareness to increase participation through messages and songs during Indian Premier League cricket matches, alerts on Facebook, advertisements at railway stations and on flights, messages on train tickets, milk, in gas stations, and movies and songs in movie theaters. , among others.
Music app Spotify has created an “election playlist” to motivate voters, and celebrities are being used to make appeals through radio and television ads, he said.
