- Karnataka along with a few other states went into the second phase of the general elections 2024 that was concluded on 26th April 2024. 14 constituencies were earmarked for the first of the two phases in Karnataka with the other 14 constituencies scheduled to go to poll on 07th May 2024. Ever since the polling dates were announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the main political parties in Karnataka viz. the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress were gearing up to impress upon the electorate to choose them. Yes, the usual party hopping of several political leaders along with their supporters did ensue before the first phase of the polling commenced. Furthermore, there were changes seen in the political alliance too to spice up the proceedings.
PC: NDTV
- The JD(S) joining hands with the BJP is the most drastic of changes in the state political firmament. Mind you, JD(S) is battling an existential crisis with the outcome of the general election potentially proving to be decisive. On the other hand, the ruling Congress is quite confident about its prospects of scoring handsome returns banking on its successful implementation of the five guarantees expected to yield positive results. Expectedly, the BJP is banking on the unquestionable charisma, popularity, acceptance, and overwhelmingly impressive presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sail the saffron through. Remember, the BJP had scored an impressive 25 seats in the last general elections. Holding on to those seats would be quite a challenge for sure now.
- On its part, the ECI had laid out elaborate plans to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections by exhorting all eligible voters to come out in great numbers to exercise their franchise. The commission had requisitioned the services of celebrities and known personalities to urge eligible voters to actively indulge in the democratic process of electing our representatives. Despite leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to ensure the voting percentage crosses the expected lines, the overall turnout across the 14 constituencies remains quite disappointing. The political parties had extensively carried out spirited campaigning luring the voters to choose them with manifestos promising several social-welfare measures. Sadly, the voters’ apathy continues.
PC: Hindustan Times
- Look not far from Bengaluru having four constituencies viz. Bengaluru North, Bengaluru Central, Bengaluru South, and Bengaluru Rural more or less stick to the previous voting percentage this time around too. Appreciatively, the ECI had made adequate arrangements vis-à-vis provisioning shades, water, and seating for the voters given the scorching summer heat. However, Bengaluru citizens showing their continued reluctance to come out actively to participate in the electoral process is quite appalling, to say the least. There simply exists no reason whatsoever to obfuscate from voting when some of the senior citizens aged above 100 years came out to exercise their rights. Don’t blame the government, the system, and political parties anymore, please!
