‘Desh Ka Maha Tyohar’ enters fourth phase; 9 states, 72 constituencies to decide the fate of bright India

New Delhi, April 28: Raising up curtains, India goes polling for the fourth phase comprising of 72 parliamentary constituencies spread across nine states. The battle for election and reigning the thrown to become the next political power intensifies with each phase coming along. The spectrum of politics has widened as many popular faces from different fields are entering politics with full-fledged campaigning.

With this, 9 states, 72 seats and 961 candidates in the fray, the states that will go to polls today are-

Maharashtra – 17 seats

Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh – 13 seats each

West Bengal – 8 seats

Madhya Pradesh and Odisha – 6 seats each

Bihar – 5 seats

Jharkhand – 3 seats

Anantnag (J&K) – 1 seat

The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as it had swept 56 of these seats in 2014, leaving just two for the Congress and the rest for other opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress (six) and the Biju Janata Dal (six).

In the first three phases, voting has been held in 302 Lok Sabha constituencies, and 168 more seats will go to polls in the last three phases. The Election Commission has set up 1.40 lakh polling booths or stations and has made elaborate security arrangements.

With this phase, elections in Maharashtra will come to an end. Interestingly the opposition Congress is fighting hard to reclaim its lost throne in Maharashtra. But the strong alliance between Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena, Congress’ really needs great luck to win the seats. The BJP and its ally Shiv Sena had won all 17 seats in 2014.

Counting of votes will take place on May 23, after all, seven phases of voting are completed.