New Delhi: As the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections concluded on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence, stating that he has received exceptional feedback, indicating a substantial surge in support for the BJP-led NDA across India.
Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today. Getting EXCELLENT feedback from today’s voting. It’s clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record numbers.”
First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today.
Getting EXCELLENT feedback from today’s voting. It’s clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record numbers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2024
According to the Election Commission data, a total voter turnout of 60.03 percent was recorded in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls. The opening phase saw voting in 102 Lok Sabha constituencies spread across 21 states and Union Territories.
Despite sporadic incidents of violence reported from states like West Bengal and Manipur, the first phase of Lok Sabha elections were conducted more or less peacefully.
In the constituencies of Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, where polling took place on Friday, an instance of stone-pelting was reported in Cooch Behar’s Chandamari during the morning hours. A BJP booth worker was also injured in the altercation.
READ | Lok Sabha Polls Phase-1 Voting Records 60% Turnout Amid Isolated Incidents Of Violence
Manipur, which has been marred by ethnic violence since last year, witnessed at least one case of booth capturing during Friday’s polling. Armed people reportedly stormed into a polling booth in Khongman, Imphal East, where they cast false votes and damaged a VVPAT machine.
Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh’s Bhairamgarh, a CRPF officer sustained injuries in an IED blast. The Assistant Commandant was on his poll duty near Chihka village when the blast took place. The injured officer was rushed to Bhairamgarh Hospital for treatment, Bijapur Police said.
