New Delhi: The Lok Sabha elections continue with their phased approach, with the second phase set to commence on April 26, covering 89 constituencies across 13 states and Union territories. This phase is crucial as it concludes the polling in several states and introduces heightened electoral battles in others.

It is to be recalled that this time the Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases. Phase one concluded on April 19, and Phase 2 is set to begin on April 26. Phase 3 to 7 will be held on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, respectively.

All 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala will complete their voting process on this day. Similarly, this will be the last voting day for Manipur, Rajasthan, and Tripura, emphasizing the importance of this phase in these regions.

In Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, a total of 16 constituencies will also go to the polls. These states are engaged in a prolonged electoral process, scheduled to witness polling in all seven phases of the elections.

Particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where eight seats were contested in the first phase, the same number will again be in play. Unlike the 2019 elections, which saw a coalition between the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), this year features a three-cornered contest. Notably, Mayawati has chosen to lead the BSP independently, adding a new dynamic to the electoral contest.

In the spotlight are the seats of Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar, Aligarh, Mathura, and Bulandshahr, with a total of 91 candidates contesting in this phase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actively campaigned in these areas, stirring controversy with his remarks in Rajasthan’s Banswara and focusing on communal and property issues in his Aligarh rally, reflecting the intense political engagements these regions are witnessing.

As the nation progresses through the stages of this vast democratic exercise, each phase unveils crucial electoral dynamics that could influence the overall outcome of the 2024 elections.