The Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab, and Uttarakhand are all set to vote over seven phases starting Thursday, with the counting of votes scheduled for March 10, reports NDTV.
Uttar Pradesh (UP), India's most populous state, will vote in each of the seven phases: Thursday, February 14, February 20, February 23, February 27, March 3, and March 7.
Punjab, Goa, and Uttarakhand will vote on the same day, February 14, with Manipur scheduled to vote in two phases on February 27 March 3.
A total of 690 Assembly constituencies under the five states will vote over the next one month, with the maximum in UP (403 seats) followed by Punjab (117), Uttarakhand (70), Manipur (60) and Goa (40).
The states have a total of 183.4 million citizens eligible to vote, according to The Hindu.
Acid test for Adityanath and BJP in UP?
Despite four other states going to the polls, the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh carries far more significance with analyses showing that the party that wins the state ends up ruling the country.
The polls result will be closely watched for clues ahead of parliamentary elections in 2024, reports Reters.
The state sends the largest number of MPs - 80 - to India's parliament and it is often said that the party that wins the state ends up ruling the country, according to BBC.
Polls suggest Prime Minister Narendra Modi will head his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to victory for a third consecutive term, despite a stuttering economy, joblessness and questions over his party’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Amid much excitement and speculations, Hindu hardliner Yogi Adityanath is seeking re-election as the Uttar Pradesh chief minister.
His candidacy comes despite sharp criticism in the past by opposition figures and the Muslim minority for a Hindu-first agenda that has inflamed communal tensions.
The polls race by the 49-year-old monk from BJP has already been hitting the headlines.
Rising dissatisfaction among unemployed young people and economic stress in rural communities are the main threats to Adityanath’s popularity in the short term.
At least 155 alleged criminals and gangsters were killed by the state police during his first term, which started in 2017, Reuters reports citing police records.
He said his record on breaking up criminal gangs was one of the reasons voters should support him and his party in the state ballot.
“I have delivered on all promises that I had made in 2017 and have the ability to show that my government has been focused on welfare and progress,” he said.
“My government dealt with the issues of corruption … Law and order has improved markedly and police action during my rule was taken against gangsters and mafia groups without discriminating on the basis of their caste or religion.”
