As the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections progresses, Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, has announced a significant financial aid program. She stated that Congress will provide Rs 1 lakh assistance to women from poor households. In a video message, Sonia Gandhi emphasized the pivotal role women have played in India’s history, highlighting the challenges they face today due to inflation. The initiative, named ‘Mahalakshmi,’ aims to alleviate the financial burden on women from impoverished families. Sonia Gandhi highlighted the positive impact of similar guarantees implemented by Congress in states like Karnataka and Telangana.
Jairam Ramesh, another Congress leader, criticized the Prime Minister for not accepting Rahul Gandhi’s invitation to debate. He tweeted about Rahul Gandhi’s invitation and the PM’s reluctance to respond.
The Lok Sabha elections are currently underway in 96 constituencies across various states and a Union Territory. Simultaneously, polling is also taking place for all 175 seats in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and 28 seats in the Odisha Legislative Assembly. The total number of nominations filed for the 96 parliamentary constituencies stands at 4,264.
Key leaders from different parties are contesting in the fourth phase, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, TMC leader Mahua Moitra, BJP leader Giriraj Singh, and JDU’s Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh). BJP leaders Arjun Munda and Madhavi Latha, along with Andhra Pradesh Congress Chief YS Sharmila, are also participating in the elections.
Till the end of the third phase, polling has concluded smoothly and peacefully in 283 Lok Sabha seats.