BJP, INDIA alliance await election results: Lok Sabha polls vote counting begins at 8:00 AM
New Delhi: Following an extensive six-week process spanning seven phases of voting, the ballots for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 are to be counted today. With the counting of votes scheduled to begin at 8 AM under stringent security measures, the nation awaits the outcome of this crucial electoral exercise.
Spanning from April 19 to June 1, the voting process engaged citizens across 543 Lok Sabha seats, each contributing to the selection of a representative for the Lower House of the Parliament. A majority of 272 seats is required for any party or coalition to form the government.
This year's Lok Sabha election stands as the second-longest electoral process since India's inaugural election in 1951-52.
Traditionally, the emergence of trends occurs within the first hour of counting, with definitive results anticipated by the afternoon. The counting of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes will commence 30 minutes subsequent to the tabulation of postal ballots, as confirmed by election officials.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set ambitious goals for itself, aspiring to secure 370 seats, while aiming for a formidable 400-seat mark for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP conducted an extensive campaign, with PM Modi himself participating in over 200 public engagements, encompassing rallies and roadshows.
In opposition, the Indian National Congress, grappling with electoral setbacks and a series of defections, aligns itself with the INDIA bloc, poised to challenge the BJP's dominance. The INDIA bloc's campaign has been characterized by joint rallies featuring prominent opposition leaders.
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2001 Parliament attack anniversary: Vice Prez, PM Modi, MPs pay tributes to fallen heroes
New Delhi (PTI): Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Saturday led Parliamentarians in paying floral tributes to those who died fending off terrorists who attacked the Parliament House in 2001.
On the 24th anniversary of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Radhakrishnan, who is also the Rajya Sabha Chair, were among the first to offer tributes.
A brief function is held outside the now old Parliament building (Samvidhan Sadan) every December 13 to mark the day.
CISF personnel presented a salute or "samman guard" at the venue, after which a moment of silence was observed to mark the anniversary. Till 2023, the CRPF used to offer 'salami shastra' (present arms).
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a senior party leader, were also present at the event. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju, Jitendra Singh and Arjun Ram Meghwal also lined up to offer flower petals at the photographs of the personnel who went down foiling the attack.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is in Latur to attend the funeral of former speaker of the Lower House of Parliament and ex-Union minister Shivraj Patil.
The attack was carried out by five armed terrorists, but personnel from the now former Parliament Security Service, CRPF and Delhi Police foiled the attack, with no terrorist being able to enter the building.
Six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, a gardener and a TV video journalist were killed in the attack. All five terrorists were gunned down in the forecourt of the then Parliament building.
