On The Ground In Bengaluru Rural Where (Almost) Everyone Wants This Cardiologist, Praised By Obama, To Win

Here’s How The Voting Turnout Looked Like In The First Phase Of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

An average of 68.29 per cent voter turnout was recorded across 102 Parliamentary constituencies in 21 states and UTs in the first phase. 

• West Bengal reported a notably high voter participation rate of 80.55%.

• Maharashtra recorded a turnout of 61.87%.

• Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand saw turnouts of 60.25% and 55.89%, respectively.

• In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 63.99% of voters have cast their ballots, while Arunachal Pradesh saw a turnout of 72.74%. 

• Assam had a voter participation rate of 75.95%, while Bihar recorded 48.88%. 

• Chhattisgarh had a relatively higher turnout at 67.56%, and Jammu and Kashmir registered 68.27%. 

• Lakshadweep had a turnout of 83.88%, and Madhya Pradesh saw 67.08%. 

• In Mizoram, 56.60% of voters exercised their franchise, and Nagaland saw a turnout of 56.91%. 

• Puducherry had a participation rate of 78.80%, while Rajasthan had 57.26%. 

• Sikkim had a voter participation rate of 80.03%, and Tamil Nadu recorded 69.46%. 

• Tripura witnessed a higher turnout at 81.62%, while Manipur and Meghalaya saw turnouts of 72.17% and 74.50%, respectively.

Modi Blasts Gandhis While Rahul And Vijayan Engage In A Bitter Catfight

PM Narendra Modi made a scathing attack on Gandhis and Congress speaking at an election rally in Nanded.

• “Congress’ Sahabzade (Rahul Gandhi) can see that his position is fickle in Wayanad too… The way he had to flee Amethi, believe me he will run from Wayanad too,” said PM Modi. 

• “I am sure Congress will look for another safe seat for its Shahjada (prince) after voting in Wayanad is completed."

• Taking a dig at Sonia Gandhi, PM Modi said some INDI Alliance leaders left the Lok Sabha and moved to the Rajya Sabha as they have no courage to contest elections.

• He said, "Whatever claims these people make, the truth is that Congress leaders have already accepted defeat” and so few of their leaders, who used to contest and win Lok Sabha, have entered using the Rajya Sabha route this time.

• "For the first time, the family will not vote for a Congress candidate in the constituency where they live as there is no party candidate there."

• It is to be noted that Congress has not yet fielded candidates from Amethi and Raebareli, the constituencies that have traditionally been represented by Gandhi family.

Rahul versus Vijayan 

• PM Modi mentioned Vijayan’s statements on Rahul Gandhi and his candidature from Wayanad. He said, “Kerala CM has blasted the Congress leader (Rahul Gandhi) in language that even I do not use for them."

• Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan is miffed with its INDI bloc ally Congress for fielding Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad against CPI-M’s candidate Annie Raja.

• Vijayan in a veiled reference to ‘Pappu’ jibe had said, "Rahul, you earlier had a name. Don't make us feel that there is no change in you. It will not be good. We won't be scared by hearing about jail. Your grandmother (Indira Gandhi) had put us in jails. But we were not scared."

• This was in response to Rahul’s statement that while he has been opposing the BJP, Vijayan seems to be “untouched” by Central agencies who he alleged were ignoring “serious allegations” against CM Vijayan.

• Rahul mentioned “imprisonment of two Chief Ministers” from other states, questioning apparent immunity and asking why CM Vijayan did not face consequences despite corruption allegations.

JDS-BJP Cadres And (Secretly) Even Congress Leaders Have Come Together To Get This Cardiologist, Praised By Obama, Get Elected From Banglore Rural

A recently retired cardiologist, Dr C N Manjunath is taking on the incumbent MP D K Suresh from Bangalore Rural.

• Suresh from Congress is the younger brother of Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar. Meanwhile, Manjunath is the son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

• Bangalore Rural seat was carved out of the erstwhile Kanakapura Lok Sabha constituency in 2008 and went to polls for the first time in 2009 when JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy won. But then Suresh went on to win the 2013 by-election, 2014, and 2019 polls.

• Supporters of Dr Cholenahalli Nanjappa Manjunath, who had served as the director of the government-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, say his motto at Jayadeva was "treatment first, payment next". 

• Deserving patients from across the world come to Jayadeva to receive free-of-cost or affordable treatment for serious cardiac issues. Manjunath also established a primary health centre in Cholenahalli, his native village in Hassan.

• Dr Manjunath’s model of high-quality medical services at an affordable cost has been appreciated by the likes of IIM-Bangalore, London School of Economics, and Yale University.

• A Padma Shree awardee, he has come to be known as the 'poor man's doctor' and was even applauded by former US President, Barack Obama.

• In his electoral debut Dr Manjunath is fighting freebies, money, and muscle power of the Congress candidate Suresh.

But why are even Congress leaders secretly pledging their support to Dr Manjunath? Read this ground report by my colleague Sharan Shetty to understand the campaign of this important family member of the Gowda family: https://swarajyamag.com/reports/this-cardiologist-praised-by-obama-is-fighting-freebies-with-free-surgeries-ground-report-from-bangalore-rural 

Keep following ElectionsHQ for regular updates on 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

Until next time,

Anmol N Jain