Key Points
. Polls opened Friday in the first and largest phase of Indias marathon election, in which populist Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely expected to secure a rare third consecutive term and deepen his historic transformation of the worlds most populous nation.. ..
An emphatic win for the BJP would give the party a mandate tofurther enshrine its Hindu-nationalist agenda, pulling away from Indias secular foundation toward majoritarian rule.. . Opposing the BJP juggernaut is an alliance of more than two dozen parties, including Indias main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, which are campaigning to reduce inequality and uphold what they say are Indias at-risk democratic institutions.. ..
Despite these successes, soaring youth unemployment and inequality remain stubbornly persistent problems, particularly in rural areas, and critics say Modi has driven religious polarization, which has included rising Islamophobia and persecution of the countrys 230 million Muslims.. . Modi has walked a fine line geopolitically, placing India as a crucial counterpoint between global powers, and the Unites States, Russia and China will be watching the election closely.. ..
The BJPs campaign manifesto centers on job creation and anti-poverty and development programs, with particular focus on women, the poor, young people and farmers.. . Modi wants to turn India into a global manufacturing hub, continue its massive infrastructure transformation, and achieve energy independence by 2047.. ..
Indias largest state is a crucial battleground with 80 seats in the Lok Sabha up for grabs.. . Home to the iconic Taj Mahal and Indias holiest city, Modis constituency ofVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh is also one of the countrys poorest..
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