NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of Indians began voting Friday in an election that is a six-week referendum. narendra modia populist prime minister who has championed an assertive brand. hindu nationalist politics He is seeking an unprecedented third term as the country’s leader.
In the 21 first states to vote, from the Himalayas to the tropical Andaman Islands, people began lining up to vote hours before they were allowed into polling stations at 7 a.m. Approximately 970 million voters, more than 10% of the world’s population, will elect 543 members of the House of Representatives for five years during the election period. Staggered elections to be held until June 1st. Votes will be counted on June 4th.
The election is seen as one of the most consequential in India’s history and will test the limits of Mr. Modi’s political dominance.
If Modi wins, he will become the second Indian leader to stay in power for three terms, after the country’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
Most polls predict a victory for Prime Minister Modi and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party against a broad coalition of opposition parties led by the Indian National Congress and the Indian National Congress. powerful regional political party.
It is unclear who will lead India if the opposition coalition known as INDIA wins the election. More than 20 political parties have not yet fielded candidates.
The BJP controls much of India’s Hindi-speaking north and center, but is now trying to gain a foothold in the east and south. Their toughest challenge will be in the southern state of Tamil Nadu (39 seats), which will vote on Friday.
Voters in the hot and humid state capital Chennai have begun briskly filling the city’s roughly 4,000 polling stations. Many of them said they would vote for changes to the federal government because of the following circumstances: Rising prices, unemployment, and religious polarization Instigated by the BJP.
“The first thing that made me vote is to have a country free of religious disharmony. In Tamil Nadu, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, we are all together. And this unity It should be even higher,” said Mary Das, 65, who was waiting to vote.
Opposition Congress leader and former finance minister P. Chidambaram said people in Tamil Nadu voted because “the Communist Party of India is imposing one language, one culture, one system and one type of food.” He said he would not.
The BJP has long struggled to win votes in the state, which is dominated by two powerful regional parties, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The BJP won a blank vote in 2019 and one seat in 2014.
In Rajasthan, people returning from polling stations covered their heads against the dusty wind.
“If the new government can solve unemployment, it will be good. People are migrating from the area to earn a living,” said Ainder Singh, 26.
Voting is also underway in the northeastern state of Manipur, which has been in near-civil war for a year. caused ethnic violence. A mob rampaged through the village, setting fire to houses and killing more than 150 people.
The election comes after 10 years of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, during which the BJP consolidated power through a combination of pro-Hindu politics and economic development.
Prime Minister Modi has ratcheted up Hindu nationalist rhetoric in his election campaign, aiming to: Promote yourself as a world leader. Ministers tout him as the steward of India’s rapid growth, while supporters celebrate his campaign promise to make India a developed country by 2047, the country’s centenary of independence.
But while India’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the world, many of its citizens face increasing economic hardship. The opposition coalition hopes to capitalize on this, seeking to galvanize voters with issues such as: high unemployment rateinflation, corruption and low agricultural prices caused the two-year situation. farmers’ protest.
Opposition parties and critics have also warned that Prime Minister Modi is becoming increasingly illiberal. They accuse Mr. Modi of using tax authorities and police to harass opposition figures, and worry that his third term could undermine India’s democracy.his hindu nationalist politicsThey argue that it breeds intolerance and threatens the country’s secular roots.
“Mr. Modi has very authoritarian views. He doesn’t believe in democracy. He doesn’t believe in parliamentarism,” said Christophe, a political scientist who has written about Mr. Modi and the Hindu right. Jaffrouleau said.
Prime Minister Modi insisted that India’s commitment to democracy remains unchanged. “India is not only realizing the aspirations of its 1.4 billion people, but also inspiring the world with the hope that democracy brings and empowers,” he said at the Democracy Summit in New Delhi in March. I’m giving,” he said.
The hugely popular Indian leader is aiming for a two-thirds majority this time.
The BJP is hoping for a landslide victory on popular welfare programs that it says will improve access to clean toilets, medical care, cooking gas and provide free grain to the poor.moves like Controversial construction of Ram temple Demolition of the site of a demolished mosque and disputed areas where Muslims are the majority. Kashmir’s former autonomywhich may resonate with supporters who hail him as a defender of the Hindu majority.
“It’s a frightening prospect for a democracy to see any party come back for a third term and even win a majority,” political commentator Arati Jelas said.
Civil liberties have been granted in India during Prime Minister Modi’s two terms. be attacked, while implementing what critics say are discriminatory policies. Peaceful protests were suppressed by force.Once free and diverse news organizations are threatenedViolence against people is on the rise. muslim minoritygovernment agencies Opposition politician arrested in a corruption scandal.
The BJP denies that its policies are discriminatory and says its activities benefit all Indians.
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Associated Press writer Sibi Aras contributed reporting from Chennai, India.
