After months of build-up, the Lok Sabha polls has kicked off with 102 seats spread across 21 states voting. Eleven states and Union Territories will complete polling by the end of today, including all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, all five seats in Uttarakhand, 12 constituencies in Rajasthan, five in Maharashtra, and all seats in six Northeastern states and three UTs. We break down the numbers. 

The polls begin after months of build-up that saw the BJP-led NDA underline its goal of winning more than 400 seats and the INDIA alliance pushing back with attempts to unite against the saffron party on issues such as raids and arrests of its leaders, the state of the economy, and the issue of federalism. We delve into why Tamil Nadu could be a litmus test for BJP this election. 

Follow our Live Blog for all latest news and updates from across the country as people come out to cast their votes.

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Saying that Scheduled Castes still face discrimination across the country, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, while speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange programme, accused the BJP of “humiliating” President Droupadi Murmu and her predecessor Ram Nath Kovind over them not being invited to events related to the Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya and laying of the foundation stone of the new Parliament building.

As the war in Gaza remains to be at the heart of the Iran-Israel crisis, Tehran has urged India to “maintain its active role through international bodies,” including the United Nations Security Council, to halt the war in Gaza. Here’s what Iran’s Ambassador to New Delhi Iraj Elahi told The Indian Express about the ongoing situation.

From the First Page

Reserving its decision on a batch of petitions seeking complete cross-verification of votes polled on EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail slips, the Supreme Court said the rising voter turnout is an indicator of the people’s faith in the electoral process.

In what is being seen as the first major outreach by the new establishment in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz quoted her father, three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as saying: “don’t fight wars with neighbours… open the doors of friendship… open the doors of your hearts”.

The Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library — formerly Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, or NMML — is planning to seek legal opinion on the ownership and custodianship of private papers in its collection, including those of former PM Jawaharlal Nehru, which were donated after 1971 by Indira Gandhi and later by Sonia Gandhi, The Indian Express has learnt.

Must Read

Amid polling season, a range of threats abound – traditional misinformation, generative AI images and videos, and deepfakes. As the importance of fact-checking is felt more than ever before, what exactly constitutes fact-checking? What is misinformation and how does it differ from disinformation? And most importantly, how can you safeguard yourself from falling for fake news? We explain.

In our Opinion section today, economist Amartya Lahiri writes on India’s demographic dividend and the labour market: “The unfolding labour market situation in India is perhaps best described as a clash of aspirations.”

Recalling the “longest three hours” of their lives when they saw “death up close”, a Brazilian travel vlogger, who was allegedly gangraped in Jharkhand’s Dumka district in March this year, and her Spanish husband narrated their ordeal through fresh videos uploaded on their YouTube channel.

And Finally..

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 113 off 72 deliveries, a record-extending eighth century in the IPL, against Rajasthan Royals was the slowest ton in the history of the tournament and ignited the debate over his efficacy in the format — with the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup to be named soon, it becomes clear that if Kohli has to be part of the plans, he has to be opening the batting.

Delhi Confidential: The Supreme Court Bar Association Thursday hosted Eid Milan for the first time in the SC canteen. Apart from a full house of lawyers, several judges were seen at the event, with some breaking into shayari and songs. Don’t miss today’s column for more!

In the latest episode of our ‘3 Things’ podcast, veteran journalist and contributing editor for The Indian Express, Neerja Chowdhury joins us to answer questions on the narratives dominating this year’s polls, what’s at stake, and how these elections differ from 2019. Tune in!

Until tomorrow,

Rounak Bagchi and Ayesha Jain