Lok Sabha Election 2024: Top contests in phase 1
The much-awaited 2024 Lok Sabha elections began on Friday with voting for the first phase of the seven-phase polls. This initial phase spans across a broad spectrum of 102 constituencies in 21 states and Union territories. With the kickoff, eyes are now set on the high-stakes battles brewing across various constituencies. Here are some of the top contests in phase one that would grab attention.
Bikaner, Rajasthan: BJP and Congress clash again
First up is Bikaner, Rajasthan. The region has been under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) control since 2004. BJP leader and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is seeking a fourth-term victory against former Congress minister, Govind Ram Meghwal. This makes it a Meghwal vs. Meghwal battle. Another on the list is Tamil Nadu, traditionally a DMK stronghold. K Annamalai, the BJP's face in the state, is up against DMK leader Ganapathy P Rajkumar and AIADMK leader Singai Ramachandran in Coimbatore.
Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh: Congress's last bastion
In Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Kamal Nath's son, Nakul Nath, is striving to hold his father's seat against the BJP's Vivek Bunty Sahu in Chhindwara. The seat is the last standing Congress stronghold in the state. Dibrugarh, in Assam, is also set for an intense face-off between former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Asom Jatiya Parishad's Lurinjyoti Gogoi. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Manoj Dhanowar is also in the fray in this constituency.
Jamui, Bihar: Debutants face off in fierce contest
The Nagpur seat in Maharashtra is also one to look out for. BJP candidate and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is all set to defend the seat a third time. The Congress has fielded Vikas Thakre, a former mayor of the city and sitting MLA of Nagpur West. In Jamui, Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal's Archana Ravidass is squaring off against NDA's Arun Bharti. Both Ravidass and Bharti are debutants in the electoral arena.
Thoothukkudi Lok Sabha constituency
The Thoothukkudi Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu is also up for a heated battle. The constituency will see Chief Minister MK Stalin's half-sister, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, take on Sivasami Velumani from AIADMK. In Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Jitendra Singh is going to contest from one of the most prominent Lok Sabha seats, Udhampur. Singh, who is seeking a third consecutive win, is up against the Congress's Chaudhary Lal Singh.
