India voted in the fourth phase of the general election on Monday, with campaign rhetoric heating up over economic disparities and religious divisions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a rare third term, facing off against an alliance of opposition parties, including the main rival Congress.
With nearly one billion people eligible to vote, the election is being held in seven phases, with ballots set to be counted on June 4. The turnout in the first three phases has raised concerns about voter disinterest, with analysts questioning whether the BJP and its allies can win the predicted landslide.
The impact of hot weather on voting is also being closely watched, with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius or higher in many parts of the country. Modi has shifted his campaign focus from his economic record to accusing Congress of planning to extend welfare benefits to minority Muslims at the expense of disadvantaged tribal groups and Hindu castes.
Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, is advocating for better representation and welfare programs for India’s poor and disadvantaged groups, citing worsening wealth inequality during Modi’s tenure. The opposition alliance received a boost when the Supreme Court granted temporary bail to Arvind Kejriwal, a key opposition leader critical of Modi.
Kejriwal, who denies corruption allegations, was arrested before the elections, leading to accusations that Modi’s government was trying to stifle the opposition. As the election progresses, the battle between the BJP and the opposition intensifies, with voters expressing concerns about unemployment and rising prices.