New Delhi:High-octane electoral campaigns across India will end today as the nation prepares for the last phase of the general election on May 19.
59 constituencies in eight States will be voting on May 19 in the last phase.
High-voltage campaigning for 7th phase to end today All three major parties have stepped up political heat against their opponents at the fag end, bringing in a fare share of controversies.
The recent controversy being stirred by the BJP candidate from Bhopal constituency, Pragya Singh Thakur who claimed that Nathuram Godse was a 'deshbhakt' (patriot) and will remain one. Her remark came in the backdrop of Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan, who said independent India's first terrorist was a Hindu, referring to Nathuram Godse who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to address a public meeting in Khargone before the campaign period ends.
In West Bengal, campaigning for the nine constituencies came to an end last night with the Election Commission invoking the Constitution's Article 324 for the first time, following violence in the state.
The political parties re-scheduled and expedited their planned rallies, road shows, street meeting and last minute door-to-door contact with voters that had reached its peak in the past couple of days in Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata South and Kolkata North constituencies where voting will be held on Sunday.
While in Uttar Pradesh, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi are scheduled to address rallies in Mirzapur and Kushinagar.
Besides, in Punjab, which goes to polls on May 19, drugs, liquor and unaccounted cash worth Rs 283 crore were seized by law enforcement agencies .
Counting of the votes will be on May 23.
Read: EC increases tables in Maharashtra for speedy vote count
