Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the Indian electorate for their support to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after the conclusion of the second phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Modi stated that the overwhelming backing for the NDA is a source of disappointment for the opposition, noting that the support from youth and women voters is driving this momentum.
“Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want NDA’s good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support,” PM Modi posted on social media. With five phases of polling remaining, the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
Modi held election rallies in Bihar and West Bengal, followed by a roadshow in Uttar Pradesh. During these visits, he emphasized the NDA’s achievements in governance and reiterated the alliance’s commitment to the welfare of all segments of society.
In terms of voter turnout, Tripura recorded the highest turnout at 77.53%, while Uttar Pradesh registered the lowest with 52.74%. The second phase of the Lok Sabha elections saw polling in 88 constituencies across 12 states and Union territories. Other significant voter turnouts included Manipur at 76.06%, West Bengal at 71.84%, Chhattisgarh at 72.13%, Assam at 70.66%, Maharashtra at 53.51%, Bihar at 53.03%, Madhya Pradesh at 54.83%, Rajasthan at 59.19%, Kerala at 63.97%, Karnataka at 63.90%, and Jammu and Kashmir at 67.22%.
During his rally in Bihar, Modi criticized the Congress-led opposition for their distrust towards Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), following the Supreme Court’s rejection of petitions that sought complete cross-verification of votes with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). Modi stated that the verdict was a “tight slap” to the opposition parties, suggesting that they should apologize for creating distrust against EVMs.
“When the Congress, the RJD, and other INDI alliance parties were in power, the poor, backwards, and Dalits used to be deprived of their votes through booth capture. With the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines, they are no longer able to play their old game. Hence, they committed the sin of creating distrust against EVMs,” Modi said in Bihar. He added that the Supreme Court’s decision confirmed the reliability of EVMs and indicated that the opposition’s attempts to undermine public confidence in the electoral system had failed.
These developments highlight the strong support for the NDA and the ongoing political dynamics as the Lok Sabha elections progress through various phases. The emphasis on youth and women voters, along with the focus on transparency and electoral integrity, continues to be central themes in Modi’s campaign messaging.
