Singer, Comic, Sparring Ex-Modi Ally Intensify India’s Election Contest in Punjab
(Bloomberg) -- Each day, Bloomberg journalists take you across a selection of towns and cities as they gear up for the big vote.
Most Read from Bloomberg
Wall Street Moves to Fastest Settlement of Trades in a Century
Israeli Airstrike and Egyptian Guard’s Death Ratchet Up Tensions
For Private Credit’s Top Talent, $1 Million a Year Is Not Enough
Catering to the Ultra-Rich Is a Booming Business in Australia
Stocks Churn After Mixed Consumer-Confidence Data: Markets Wrap
Hello, I am Rakesh Sharma, Bloomberg’s Asia oil reporter in New Delhi. I was born in Faridkot in the northern Indian state of Punjab, known as India’s wheat basket. The parliamentary constituency is notorious for springing surprises, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and its alliance partner failing to win here in the last two elections despite a strong national performance. BJP has fielded a popular Sufi singer and rival Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party, which runs the state government, a comedian. BJP’s former ally Shiromani Akali Dal as well as the Congress party, which has partnered with AAP in other states, are also in the fray. Independent candidate Sarabjit Singh, son of Beant Singh who assassinated Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, will further heat up the contest. Faridkot will vote on June 1, along with the 13 constituencies in the northern state.
Top Stories
Modi is hoping success stories led by an infrastructure boom will support his campaign for a third term in office. He’s spent billions — and sought to reap political dividends — from a nationwide upgrade of the country’s roads, railways, airports and seaports.
Read more:
India’s Markets Brace for Selloff as Modi’s Poll Goals in Doubt
Modi’s Rivals Unite in Bid to Unseat Him in Delhi
Campaign Trail
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought a one-week extension of his interim bail to undergo health check-ups following his recent weight loss and other symptoms.
Congress party’s president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that Modi is avoiding talking about the economy in his election speeches because of the government’s failure in boosting the country’s manufacturing sector resulting in a decline in exports.
Global Media
The Guardian reported about Modi claiming in an interview that he believes he has been chosen by God “for a purpose.”
The New York Times reported about how Modi’s party is using its vast machinery to ensure the handouts given by the government creates loyal voters.
Who Votes This Week?
India’s mammoth election runs through June 1, with counting scheduled for June 4. This map from the Election Commission of India shows which constituencies vote when.
Related News
TOP ELECIN for top India election stories; readers on the app click BTDY ELECIN
NI BGOVBANDB The Ballots & Boundaries newsletter
NI BTDC Podcast on Money, Power, and Politics
Indians are voting in the world’s biggest election. Understand how money and business intersect with politics and power by following Bloomberg India’s channel on WhatsApp, and sign up for the weekly India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi.
This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
The Dodgers Mogul and the Indian Infrastructure Giant That Wasn’t
A Hidden Variable in the Presidential Race: Fears of ‘Trump Forever’
©2024 Bloomberg L.P.
