However, the community’s presence in the 18th Lok Sabha has reduced marginally from 26 last time but is higher than the 2014 tally when 23 Muslim candidates were elected to the lower house of Parliament.

As many as 78 Muslims were in the fray in the Lok Sabha elections this year, a significant drop from the last polls when 115 Muslim candidates were fielded by various parties.

Among the Muslim candidates who won this time, Rakibul Hussain’s victory in Dhubri was significant in terms of the winning margin. The Congress candidate secured 14.71 lakh votes and defeated his nearest rival Mohammad Badruddin Ajmal by one of the highest margins of about 10 lakh votes.

On the other hand, first-time contender Yusuf Pathan beat Congress leader in the Lok Sabha and six-time MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury by 85,022 votes in his Baharampur bastion in West Bengal.

Congress candidate from Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, Imran Masood, won by a margin of 64,542 votes while Iqra Choudhary, a 29-year-old Samajwadi Party candidate from Kairana, secured victory over BJP’s Pradeep Kumar by 69,116 votes.

Afzal Ansari, the incumbent MP from Ghazipur and the younger brother of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, retained the seat by bagging 5.3 lakh votes while 28-year-old Iqra Choudhary won the Kairana seat by a margin of over 69,000 votes.

Samajwadi Party’s Mohibbullah won the Rampur seat by securing 4,81,503 votes, while Zia Ur Rehman won in Sambhal by a margin of 1.2 lakh votes.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi retained his Hyderabad seat by a margin of 3,38,087 votes over his nearest rival BJP’s Madhavi Latha Kompella.

In Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference’s Srinagar candidate Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a prominent Shia leader, secured 3,56,866 votes and won by a margin of 1.88 lakh votes against his nearest rival PDP’s Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra.

Mian Altaf Ahmad of the National Conference won in Anantnag-Rajouri by 2,81,794 votes against former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

In Ladakh, Independent candidate Mohammad Haneefa secured a victory by a margin of 27,862 votes while another Independent candidate Abdul Rashid Sheikh won Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla seat by bagging 4.7 lakh votes.

In Bihar, Congress’ Tariq Anwar won the Katihar seat after a close contest with JD(U) candidate Dulal Chandra Goswami. Anwar won by a margin of 49,863 votes.

Congress now has the highest number of seven Muslim MPs, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has five, and the SP has four. The Indian Union Muslim League has three MPs — T Mohammad Bashir from Malappuram, M P Abdurasmad Samdani from Ponnani, Kerala and K Navaskani from Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram.

AIUDF President Badruddin Ajmal at Parliament House complex during the Budget session

Guwahati: Congress leader Rakibul Hussain defeated AIUDF supremo Badruddin Ajmal by a record margin of 10,12,476 votes in Assam’s Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency on Tuesday, according to the Election Commission.

Hussain, the deputy leader of the Congress legislature party in the state, polled 14,71,885 votes, while Ajmal, who was seeking a fourth consecutive term from the constituency, secured 4,59,409 votes.

NDA constituent Asom Gana Parishad’s Zabed Islam secured third place with 4,38,594 votes.

A total of 13 candidates were in the fray in the constituency, located along the India-Bangladesh border.

Polling in Dhubri was held on May 7, and the constituency recorded a turnout of 92.08 per cent.

The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, where Rahul Gandhi won for the second time in a row, comprises three assembly constituencies each in the tribal district of Wayanad and the Muslim-dominated Malappuram, as well as one in Kozhikode district where Christians hold a significant vote base.

Gandhi romped him with a margin of over 3.64 lakh votes against his nearest rival, Annie Raja of the CPI.

With the Congress scion winning handsomely from Rae Bareli as well, questions remain which constituency he will now forego, although he has said he has not taken a decision on which seat he will represent in the Lok Sabha.

Asked about which seat he would represent in Lok Sabha, Gandhi said on Tuesday, “I have won from both the seats and I want to wholeheartedly thank the voters of Rae Bareli and Wayanad. Now I have to decide which seat I will stay on, will discuss and then decide. Can’t hold on to both the seats, but I haven’t decided yet.”

“I am being asked whether I would remain the MP of Wayanad or Rae Bareli, I want to remain MP for both. Congratulations to all of you,” the former Congress president had said.

The Congress-led UDF was always confident about the victory of their leader, widely perceived to be the Prime Ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc, from their stronghold Wayanad in the polls held on April 26.

The BJP and the Left, who had fielded strong candidates to challenge Gandhi, claim he will abandon Wayanad if he wins from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh. Interestingly, there was no confirmation until the completion of the second phase of the election, when Kerala voted for Lok Sabha polls, about his plans to contest from another seat in the country’s northern region.

Senior CPI leader Annie Raja was the Left candidate from the constituency, while the BJP’s state chief K Surendran was tasked with taking on Gandhi and Raja, both leaders of INDIA bloc partners.

Famous for its lush green hills, diverse cultural heritage, and significant tribal population, the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency has been a focal point of Indian politics since it gained national attention with Rahul Gandhi’s candidacy in 2019.

The constituency, carved out in 2008 during the delimitation process, comprises seven assembly segments: Kalpetta, Sulthan Bathery, and Mananthavady in Wayanad district; Thiruvambady in Kozhikode; and Nilambur, Wandoor, and Eranad in Malappuram, each reflecting the diverse socio-economic fabric of the region.

Agriculture, the backbone of Wayanad’s economy, faces numerous challenges, including fluctuating market prices and crop failures. The constituency is also grappling with issues related to tribal welfare, environmental conservation, and the need for robust infrastructure development.

While the UDF campaign focused on Rahul Gandhi’s work in the constituency, highlighting his significant impact on Wayanad since his election in 2019 and his ability to bring a global perspective to local issues, the BJP and the Left countered it, alleging his long absence from the constituency and failure to address key issues affecting the people, including the human-animal conflict.

The Congress, however, argued that Gandhi had championed several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people, particularly tribals and the poor, in his constituency.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Gandhi won the Wayanad seat with a significant margin of 4,31,770 votes over his nearest rival, P P Suneer of the CPI.

The voter turnout in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency during the 2019 elections was 80.31 per cent. This time, 73.57 per cent of the voters cast their ballot.

The fierce battle in the constituency saw BJP leader Surendran raking up an issue surrounding the name of Sulthan Bathery town, associated with Tipu Sultan in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

He suggested that the name should be changed, as the place was originally known as Ganapathivattom before the Mysore ruler’s invasion of the Malabar region of Kerala two centuries ago. The Congress mocked him, saying, “Surendran can say anything.”

Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow in Kalpetta on April 3 garnered national attention during the poll campaign.

It was visibly different from that of 2019 in the constituency when the green flags of Congress ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) outnumbered those of the Congress in the crowd.

This time, the flags were conspicuous by their absence, including those of the Congress

The roadshow was attended by all major UDF partners, including the IUML, and their workers mostly displayed placards of Gandhi’s image and his election symbol, the hand, to add color to the campaign.

Party workers also carried balloons in various colours instead of flags.

At the height of the election campaign in 2019, senior BJP leader Amit Shah had criticised Gandhi for contesting from the constituency in Kerala, remarking that during a procession in the area, it was difficult to discern whether it was India or Pakistan, alluding to the presence of IUML’s green flags during the Congress leader’s roadshow, a Congress source had said.

The source had added that the Congress might have chosen not to display flags during the event this time to avoid potential negative reactions from the BJP.

The CPI(M) had taken a dig at the Congress for not displaying its alliance partner Muslim League’s green flags at the Gandhi roadshow, alleging that the decision was made considering its repercussions in North India.

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has declared the results for 542 out of 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clinching 240 seats and the Congress securing 99.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make history by forming the government for a third consecutive term, leading the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to a majority in the Lok Sabha.

Although the BJP fell short of the 272-majority mark, it garnered crucial support from key allies like N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)). With their combined strength, along with other alliance partners, the NDA surpassed the halfway mark.

While the Lok Sabha has 543 members, counting was held for 542 seats after the BJP’s Surat candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected unopposed.

The Congress, part of the opposition INDIA bloc, secured 99 seats, making significant gains in Rajasthan and Haryana at the BJP’s expense.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party led the INDIA bloc’s spirits with 37 seats, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 29 seats in West Bengal, an increase from its 2019 tally.

Despite the NDA’s victory, the results didn’t match the landslide projected by exit polls.

The 2024 elections, conducted from April 19 to June 1 in seven phases, saw a staggering 640 million votes cast, making it the world’s largest democratic exercise.

Gangtok: Prem Singh Tamang was elected the legislature party leader of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), paving the way for him to be sworn in as the chief minister.

All 31 newly-elected MLAs were present at the meeting of the legislature party, which was held at the CM’s official residence on Sunday night.

At the meeting, SKM secretary general Arun Upreti proposed Tamang’s name as the legislature party leader and it was seconded by Sangha MLA Sonam Lama. Subsequently, he was unanimously elected the leader of the legislature party, a statement said.

Party leaders congratulated Tamang upon his election, and pledged to work with dedication under his leadership, it said.

The SKM won 31 of the 32 seats in the assembly elections, the

Lucknow: A viral video has surfaced showing a 16-year-old son of a BJP worker allegedly casting eight votes to the saffron party during the ongoing general elections in Uttar Pradesh. The video has sparked controversy, and the opposition has urged for prompt action from the Election Commission of India, reports scroll.in.

The video shared by the Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on micro-blogging site ‘X’, showed the youngster recording himself while casting multiple times in a series of instances. The incident reportedly took place in Khiri Pamaran village, which falls under the Aliganj Assembly constituency within the Farrukhabad parliamentary seat. Mukesh Rajput, the sitting MP, is the BJP candidate in this constituency. Polling in Farrukhabad occurred on May 13 during the fourth phase of the general election.

In the viral video, the youngster is seen casting eight votes in total, all for the BJP, one by one with different clippings.

The youngster in the video has been identified as Rajan Singh Thakur, confirmed his father, Anil Singh Thakur to the Scroll.in. Anil Singh Thakur is the gram pradhan (village head) of Khiri Pamaran and a member of the BJP.

Anil defending his son told the Scroll that the ‘Video misrepresented his son,’ and claimed that the voting was done when the machine was being tested in some instances and other clipping of him voting on behalf of mentally and physically disabled voters was merged and made into a video.

Despite the Anil’s caims, the video has drawn significant criticism. Subhash Chandra Prajapati, the additional district magistrate of Farrukhabad, confirmed to the Scroll that the administration will file a case soon. He mentioned that the returning officer is investigating the matter following a directive from the chief electoral officer in Lucknow.

The opposition has been vocal in its criticism, with Akhilesh Yadav demanding action from the Election Commission. In his social media post, Yadav accused the BJP of undermining the electoral process and described the party’s booth committee as a “loot committee.” The Congress party also called on the Election Commission to take action, in a ‘X’ post the party wrote, “Dear Election Commission…are you watching..a boy is voting 8-8 times … .at least wake up now.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, took to ‘X’ to express, “Fearing and seeing their defeat, the BJP is attempting to undermine democracy by pressuring government machinery to deny the mandate. The Congress expects all officers performing election duties to remember their constitutional responsibilities despite any pressure from those in power. Otherwise, once the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc government is formed, actions will be taken to ensure that anyone will think ten times before violating their ‘Oath to the Constitution’.”

Following the video’s circulation, Naval Kishor Shakya, the Samajwadi Party candidate in Farrukhabad, filed a complaint with the district election officer. Shakya’s complaint alleges that Rajan Singh Thakur cast votes after snatching voter information slips from other voters and that he was assisted by Dinesh Thakur, the local police station’s station house officer. Shakya has called for re-polling at the affected polling center.

In a related incident earlier in May, Gujarat Police arrested two BJP workers for allegedly casting bogus votes and live-streaming the act on social media in the Dahod constituency. The Election Commission conducted re-polling at the affected booth following the incident.

The opposition INDIA bloc, including the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, has repeatedly accused the Election Commission of failing to take prompt action against election model code of conduct violations.

Varanasi: Shyam Rangeela, the comedian who announced his candidacy for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, has had his nomination rejected. Sources informed on Wednesday that the rejection was due to Rangeela’s failure to submit the required affidavit.

Rangeela had filed his nomination just a day before the rejection. Following his submission, he tweeted: “After completing all the documentation, and procedures and overcoming other hurdles, we are now on the verge of becoming an option for the people of Varanasi. Just wait for two-three more days, let the symbol arrive, we will fight with full strength, with your support.”

Earlier, Rangeela claimed he faced significant obstacles while attempting to file his nomination papers. Since May 10, he had been trying to submit his paperwork but alleged he was barred from entering the district magistrate’s office on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination. Rangeela also mentioned that he did not bring a team from his hometown of Sriganganagar to contest the elections in Varanasi.

Rangeela reported receiving numerous phone calls from Varanasi residents who expressed their willingness to support his campaign. He emphasized his commitment to contesting against Prime Minister Modi, stating, “Winning or losing is a different matter, but I will contest the elections against the Prime Minister at any cost. I am not contesting elections to become famous, I am already very famous among the public.”

Surendra Rajput of the Congress party supported Rangeela’s claims, alleging that the administration was not providing Rangeela with the necessary nomination papers. “Everyone is free to file a nomination, including PM Modi. However, other people are not allowed to file their nominations from the constituency. A YouTuber named Rangeela, who wished to file a nomination from Varanasi, isn’t getting nomination papers from the administration,” Rajput stated.

In the Varanasi constituency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces opposition from Congress candidate Ajai Rai and Bahujan Samajwadi Party’s Athar Ali Lari.

Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday claimed that he was getting “full support” from “uncle” Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president who is a BJP ally, in his fight against the saffron party.

Yadav made the remark, in an obvious bid to drive a wedge between the newly realigned NDA partners, at a rally in Bihar’s Madhubani district.

The RJD leader, who lost his job as Bihar Deputy CM as a result of Kumar’s abrupt exit from INDIA bloc, said “chacha (uncle) may have been hijacked by the BJP. But he taught me the importance of driving out of power those whose ascent came in 2014. Deep down, he retains the sentiment”.

“I know his blessings are with me because I am carrying forward his fight. Just take note, he has taken ill on the very day Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to file his nomination papers. It is clear I am getting his full support”, remarked Yadav.

Interestingly, the comments of the young, but deft, politician came on a day the Chief Minister’s office came out with an unusually short statement declaring that Kumar’s “all programmes for the day have been cancelled because of illness”.

Sources close to the leader claimed the septuagenarian had flu-like symptoms and he has also been pensive since Monday night when he received the news of the death of his close friend Sushil Kumar Modi, a senior BJP leader who had served as his deputy for more than a decade.

However, the absence of Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister in Varanasi, where the PM was accompanied by most allies, including coalition partners from the state like Pashupati Kumar Paras, Chirag Paswan, Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi, has triggered speculations in a section of the media here.

Many news outlets claim that Kumar felt slighted over the treatment he got at Modi’s roadshow in Patna on Sunday when the JD(U) president was made to stand quietly beside the PM as he waved at the crowds and obliged a couple of channels with interviews.

Kumar was also conspicuous by his absence at the Vidhan Sabha premises where mortal remains of Sushil Kumar Modi were brought, though senior JD(U) leaders like Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Devesh Chandra Thakur were present to pay tributes to the late leader who passed away at a Delhi hospital, battling cancer.

Berhampur (Odisha) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that the expiry date of the BJD government in Odisha is June 4, the day the assembly election results will be announced.

Addressing his first election rally in the state, Modi urged people to give a chance to the BJP to make Odisha the number one state in the country.

In an apparent dig at BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the prime minister said, “Odisha needs a CM who understands Odia language and culture.”

“The BJP will form a double-engine government here after elections. The expiry date of the BJD government is June 4, 2024,” Modi said at the Berhampur rally.

He also claimed that Odisha has not benefitted from Ayushman Bharat Yojana as the “BJD government did not implement” it in the state.

The Centre gave Rs 10,000 crore under the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ scheme to Odisha but the BJD dispensation could not spend the money properly.

“You have given 50 years to Congress and 25 years to BJD. Just give five years to the BJP. We will make Odisha the number one state in the country,” Modi said at the rally.

Odisha has fertile land, mineral resources, and sea coasts, but people are still poor, he claimed.

“We released a visionary manifesto for Odisha promising jobs for youths and women and health facilities for senior citizens. BJP fulfils what it says: Modi added.

The assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha will be held simultaneously.

“I have come here to invite you to the swearing-in ceremony of BJP’s CM on June 10. On the very day, we will implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana which the Naveen Patnaik government has been resisting. This son of Lord Jagannath will take care of all senior citizens under this scheme,” Modi said.

Referring to Patnaik’s alleged weak command over Odia language, Modi said: “A person, who lives, understands and takes pride in Odia culture and tradition, can help resolve the problems of Odisha at a faster pace…”.

He appealed to the people to allow BJP to serve the state for once and it is Modi’s guarantee that Odisha will be turned into the number one state in the next five years.

The prime minister said Odisha lags behind in every development parameter despite having huge resources like water, fertile land, rich mineral wealth, and a vast coastline.

“Who is responsible for Odisha’s backwardness? Why are the people of resources-rich Odisha still poor? The answer is rampant loot by Congress, which ruled the state for 50 years, and then the BJD for next 25 years. The BJD is sinking, while Congress is a spent force and the BJP is the only ray of hope for the people,” he said.

The prime minister also said that the BJP has given the country’s highest post to the daughter of Odisha. “It is my good fortune that President Droupadi Murmu Ji tells me every minute for the development of Odisha. I feel that I will be able to do a lot for the state under her guidance,” he said.

Responding to Modi’s claim, senior BJD leader and Naveen Patnaik’s close aide VK Pandian said: “Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on June 9.”

Bengaluru : Repolling is underway at one polling station in Indiganatha village of Hanur, which falls under Chamarajanagar Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka on Monday, amid elaborate security arrangements.

Polling began at 7 am and will end by 6 pm.

The repolling was ordered by the Election Commission following reports that electronic voting machines were damaged at the polling booth in Indiganatha village in Chamarajanagara district on April 26 during a clash between two groups of people over whether to vote or not in the Lok Sabha elections.

According to the district administration, the villagers had earlier decided to boycott the polls citing lack of adequate infrastructure development. However, after assurances and efforts by the local officials, polling was underway.

As per preliminary information, one of the groups wanted to vote while the other was keen to boycott, leading to clashes between them during which they damaged EVMs, and also indulged in stone-pelting, the officials said.

In a letter addressed to the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer, the EC had stated that based on the reports submitted by the Returning Officer and General Observer for Chamrajnagar Constituency and after taking all material circumstances into account, it declared that polling held at polling station number 146 under the Hanur Assembly Constituency on Friday was void.