Campaigning ends for Phase 2 of LS elections

NEW DELHI: The electrifying election campaign for the second phase of

Lok Sabha elections

ended at 5 pm on Wednesday, with top leaders of the

BJP-led NDA

and the opposition INDIA bloc using all their might to woo voters to their fold.
The end of the campaign also marks the commencement of a 48-hour silence period, which mandates political parties to stop election-related activities in the

polling

constituencies.

The second phase which is scheduled for April 26, will witness polling in 88 constituencies across 12 states and Union Territories, along with the remaining part of the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency.
Key constituencies in the second phase

Down in the south, two Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala -- Wayanad and Thiruvananthapuram -- are set to witness a high-stake battle. In a triangular contest in Wayanad, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will face BJP's K Surendran and its ally CPI's Annie Raja. Rahul’s contest against an INDIA bloc partner, and not someone from NDA, has soured Congress-Left relations, with Left leaders saying he should have directly taken on BJP, not an alliance partner.

BJP has fielded Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress candidate and three-time MP

Shashi Tharoor

from Thiruvananthapuram. All 26 seats of Kerala will go to polls on April 26. The counting is scheduled on June 4. In 2019, Congress won 19 out of 20 seats in the state, while the CPI (M) could win the lone seat. BJP failed to open its account.
Other key constituencies to go to polls in the second Phase:

Key candidates to contest in the second Phase:

The second phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha witnessed a surge of heat in the political campaign after PM Modi raked up Congress's poll promises in its manifesto.
PM Modi claimed that the grand old party if voted to power, would conduct a wealth survey to seize the assets of people and take away their lifelong savings, including their 'Mangalsutra'.
A political firestorm erupted after PM Modi's remark, reacting to which the Congress accused the Prime Minister of "lying to people and trying to mislead and scare them".
1206 candidates from 12 States and UTs along with 4 candidates from the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency will contest elections in phase 2 of the Lok Sabha Elections, the Election Commission of India said.
As per the poll commission, a total of 2633 nominations were filed for 88 parliamentary constituencies across 12 States and UTs going for polls in phase 2 for the Lok Sabha Elections.
The last date for filing nominations for phase 2 for all 12 States and UTs was April 4.
After the scrutiny of 2633 nominations filed, 1428 nominations were found to be valid. The last date for withdrawal of candidature for all 12 States and UTs was April 8.
The first phase of the polling covered 102 constituencies of 21 states and union territories (UTs). Ten states and UTs were fully covered, while 11 states and UTs were partially covered.
As the high-decibel campaigns for the Lok Sabha polls kick off, promises and guarantees by various political parties took place. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the "Modi Ki Guarantee" as the central theme of his campaign, focusing on the development of youth, empowerment of women, and welfare of farmers and marginalized communities. Meanwhile, the Congress is banking on its 'Nyay' guarantees, aiming at justice for various sections of society.
The BJP has come out all guns blazing at the INDIA bloc over corruption, dynasty politics, and insulting the Constitution and Hinduism.
The Opposition leaders, in turn, have attacked the government over electoral bonds, alleged misuse of agencies, inflation, and unemployment among other issues.
(With agencies input)