THE HEADLINES: –
- Polling is underway for third phase of Lok Sabha elections.
- Moderate to brisk polling reported from 93 constituencies spread over 10 States and one Union Territory.
- Filing of nominations begins for 7th and last phase of Lok Sabha polls with issuance of notification.
- Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan reach Singapore as part of Eastern Fleet deployment to South China sea.
- Heatwave conditions continue to prevail in South East peninsular India.
- In IPL cricket, Delhi Capitals to take on Rajasthan Royals in Delhi this evening.
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Moderate to brisk polling is being reported from different constituencies in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections today. Ninety three Parliamentary Constituencies spread over ten States and one Union Territory are being covered in this phase. These include, twenty five seats in Gujarat, 14 in Karnataka, 11 in Maharashtra and 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Besides, voting is also taking place on nine seats in Madhya Pradesh, seven in Chhattisgarh, five in Bihar, four seats each in Assam and West Bengal, two seats each in Goa and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Voting started in most of the constituencies at 7 this morning and will conclude at 6 in the evening. However, timings vary in North Eastern States and in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas.
The polling is also being held for the Betul (ST) Parliamentary Constituency of Madhya Pradesh, in this phase. At this seat voting was earlier scheduled to be held in the second phase but was rescheduled due to the demise of the BSP candidate.
The polling for Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, which was earlier scheduled in third phase, will now be held in the Sixth phase. Besides, there will also be no polling in Surat Parliamentary Constituency of Gujarat, as the BJP candidate has already been elected unopposed.
Our correspondents touring different constituencies report long queues of voters at different polling booths. Special enthusiasm is seen among youth and women voters.
A total of one thousand 331 candidates are in the fray in this phase.
Some of the prominent candidates whose political fate is being sealed in the EVMs today include Senior BJP leaders Amit Shah, Mansukh Mandaviya, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Narayan Rane, Parshottam Rupala, Pralhad Joshi, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Basavaraj Bommai, Congress leaders Digvijay Singh and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule.
Around 18 lakh 50 thousand Polling officials have been deployed across one lakh 85 thousand polling stations. Over 17 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase. A large number of foreign delegates have also come to witness India’s polling process and its management. 75 delegates from 23 countries are visiting in polling stations in six states, as part of the International Election Visitor Programme.
The Election Commission has made all arrangements for the smooth conduct of polling. Facilities like water, sheds, ramps, volunteers and wheelchairs are available at the polling stations for the convenience of voters.
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Nearly 40 percent voter turn out was recorded in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls till 1 PM
- Polling percentage in States include
- West Bengal and Goa over 49 per cent.
- Chhattisgarh, over 46 per cent.
- Assam, nearly 46 per cent
- Madhya Pradesh, nearly 45 per cent.
- Karnataka, nearly 42 per cent.
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, nearly 40 per cent
- Uttar Pradesh over 38 per cent.
- Gujarat, nearly 38 per cent.
- Bihar, nearly 37 per cent.
- Maharashtra, nearly 32 per cent.
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Now, we speak to our correspondents for latest updates on the voting going on in various parts of the country.
First, we go over to our correspondent in Gujarat where polling is being held in a single-phase for 25 Lok Sabha seats. Our Correspondent, Aparna Khunt joins us from Ahmedabad.
Question: Aparna, how is the polling progressing there
and who are the prominent candidates in the state this time?
Thank you for the update Aparna.
On to neighbouring state, Maharashtra, where our correspondent, Prarthna joins us from Mumbai.
Question: Prarthna, share with us some intresting aspects of the contest taking place at 11 constituencies in the state this time.
Thank you Prarthna.
Now we go towards Karnataka. Our Bengaluru correspondent, Sudhindra joins us
Question: Sudhindra, which constituencies are likely to face tough fight in this phase.
Thank you Sudhindra.
Moving on to Uttar Pradesh, which is going to polls in seven phases. In this phase, polling is being held in 10 constituencies of the state. Our correspondent Sushil Chandra Tiwari now joins us.
Question: Sushil how is the polling progressing in the state?
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Filing of nominations has begun for 7th and last phase of Lok Sabha polls with issuance of notification by the Election Commission. Voting will be held in 57 Lok Sabha seats in seven States and one Union Territory in this phase. Thirteen seats each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, nine seats of West Bengal, eight seats of Bihar, six seats of Odisha, four seats of Himachal Pradesh, three seats of Jharkhand and one seat in Union Territory of Chandigarh will go to polls in the seventh and last phase. Nominations can be filed till 14th of this month. Voting for this phase will be held on 1st June.
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Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi has said that India today stands at a crucial juncture in history. Addressing a public meeting in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh today, Mr Modi said that I.N.D.I. alliance members are contesting elections to save their legacy. He said, these leaders are least concerned about the interests of the country and its people. He highlighted the steps taken by the NDA government for the welfare of weaker sections of the society, tribals, farmers and women.
Later addressing another public meeting in Dhar district, Prime Minister Modi alleged that Congress is spreading a rumor that if the BJP wins 400 seats, it will change the Constitution.
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Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held an election rally at Chaibasa in Jharkhand this afternoon. Addressing the gathering, Mr Gandhi said, this election is to save the rights of tribals, poor and backward people.
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Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan have reached Singapore as part of Eastern Fleet deployment to South China sea. The Defence Ministry said, this visit is poised to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two maritime nations through a series of engagements and activities.
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Heatwave conditions continue to prevail in the South East peninsular region covering parts of Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the region has recorded maximum temperature of 43 to 45 degree Celsius.
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In IPL cricket, Delhi Capitals will take on Rajasthan Royals at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi today.
Last night, Mumbai Indians defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: –
- Polling is underway for third phase of Lok Sabha elections.
- Moderate to brisk polling reported from 93 constituencies spread over 10 States and one Union Territory.
- Filing of nominations begins for 7th and last phase of Lok Sabha polls with issuance of notification.
- Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan reach Singapore as part of Eastern Fleet deployment to South China sea.
- Heatwave conditions continue to prevail in South East peninsular India.
- In IPL cricket, Delhi Capitals to take on Rajasthan Royals in Delhi this evening.
For details of these stories and more, log on to our website <<<<<www.newsonair.com>>>>> and News On Air App.
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