Himachal pradesh & English news | Himachal pradesh &, Latest News & Live Updates in English | English News (Latest English News) at Lokmattimes.com

Campaigning in the bitterly-fought high-stakes Lok Sabha elections, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term, came to an end this evening with parties making claims about their victory ahead of polling in 59 constituencies spread over six states and one union territory on May 19.In West Bengal, campaigning in the last nine constituencies ended on Thursday night after the Election Commission cut short electioneering by a day in the wake of violence during BJP president Amit Shah's road show on Tuesday.The seventh and final phase will cover 13 seats in Uttar Pradesh; all 13 in Punjab, nine in West Bengal, eight each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, all four constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat of Chandigarh. A total of 918 candidates are in the fray to test their destiny in the last phase.Those whose fortunes will be decided in the final phase are Modi in Varanasi, former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal (Ferozepur), his wife and union minister Harsimrat Kaur (Bhatinda), another union minister Hardeep Puri (Amritsar) and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's wife Praneet Kaur in (Patiala) (all in Punjab), three-time MP Anurag Thakur in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur, former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren (Dumka) and former union minister P K Bansal, who faces sitting MP Kirron Kher in Chandigarh.Winding up the gruelling campaign that lasted over 50 days, Modi addressed a meeting in Khargaon in Madhya Pradesh, claiming that the BJP and the NDA would return to power with more than 300 seats.But opposition leaders predicted a rout for the BJP saying Modi would be shown the door. However, they were not sure who would be their prime minister."I am not in the race for running a government. I will be steering the nation," Modi said in an interview before close of campaigning which witnessed highly personal attacks by leaders against each other. Modi had termed former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi as "corrupt no 1" while Rahul Gandhi kept chanting the slogan of "chowkidar chor hai" in reference to Modi.While Modi led the NDA campaign assisted by his party president Amit Shah and other leaders, the Congress charge was led by Rahul Gandhi, aided by his sister Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders.BSP Chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav came together to form a mahagathbandan (grand alliance) to take on the BJP juggernaut in Uttar Pradesh and held rallies in all regions of the politically-crucial Uttar Pradesh which has 80 seats in Lok Sabha.Other regional parties tied up among themselves against BJP and NDA in several states.Modi, who is contesting from Varanasi, did not go for campaigning to his constituency Varanasi where he did a massive road ahead of filing of nominations. Congress leader Ajay Rai, who lost to Modi in the last elections, will again face the prime minister while SP has fielded Shalini Yadav.Results will be announced on May 23.

Home

City

Latest News

Cricket

LT Premium

National

International

Maharashtra

Opinions

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Nagpur

Entertainment

Photos

Business

Technology

Sports

Lifestyle

Social Viral

Lokmat Games

Health

BMC Election 2026

Mumbai Air Pollution

Maharashtra Local Body Elections

Stock Market News

Maharashtra News

Mumbai Local

Himachal Pradesh &FOLLOW

Himachal pradesh &, Latest News

National :Himachal Pradesh: 43 dead, 35 injured as bus falls into gorge in Kullu

Forty-three people died and 35 got injured in an accident as bus fell into a deep gorge near Banjar area in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. ...

National :Kullu bus accident: Death toll rises to 33

Death toll rose to 33 in Banjar area bus accident in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, an official said. ...

National :PM Modi expresses condolences for those who died in Kullu bus accident

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the bus accident at Kullu on Thursday. ...

National :Meteoric rise of Jagat Prakash Nadda

For Jagat Prakash Nadda, who had entered into politics as an ABVP activist, the appointment as BJP Working President on Monday marks a meteoric rise of a man who was known for his orgsational abilities. ...

National :Low-profile Nadda rose from ABVP ranks (Profile)

Jagat Prakash Nadda (58), who has his roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliates, was on Monday appointed BJP's Working President, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah would continue to be the party President. ...

Politics :Campaigning for seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections ends

Campaigning in the bitterly-fought high-stakes Lok Sabha elections, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term, came to an end this evening with parties making claims about their victory ahead of polling in 59 constituencies sprea ...