3 min readNew DelhiApr 30, 2024 06:03 PM IST
First published on: Apr 30, 2024 at 06:00 PM IST
As India moves towards third phase of voting, scheduled on May 7, political parties are leaving no stones unturned to outdo each other in their campaigns both on real and virtual spaces. Here’s a look at some of the issues or posts that are buzzing on social media today.
SP leader’s ‘vote jihad’ remark
A video clip of Samajwadi Party leader Maria Alam Khan went viral on social media on Tuesday with people bashing her in the comments over her ‘vote jihad’ remark in her speech. In the video, from a public meeting in Farrukhabad — a constituency which Maria’s uncle Congress leader Salman Khurshid had represented twice, she was heard urging people to do ‘vote jihad’ because “we can only do vote jihad to oust the Sanghi government at the Centre”.
The video drew considerable flak from X users, including BJP leaders. Taking to X, BJP spokesperson said both the manifesto and manifestation of INDI alliance have imprints of ‘Muslim League’.
Another BJP spokesperson from Uttar Pradesh Rakesh Tripathi too reacted Maria’s ‘vote jihad’ remark, terming it a ‘divisive’ tactic employed by the Opposition alliance.
Khurshid, who was also present at the meeting as the chief guest, was asked to comment on the statement of his niece. He said generally he stays away from using such words because its literal meaning is misinterpreted. “Jehad means to fight against a situation. Her intention must have been to carry out vote jihad to protect the Constitution,” PTI quoted him as saying.
Congress highlights ‘rising inequality’ in latest video
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to target the Congress, by warning people about the opposition party’s alleged ulterior motive to ‘snatch’ wealth and gold from the public, the Congress, in its latest video, claims under the BJP regime, the poor’s share was taken away to benefit the rich. The video highlights the ‘inequality’ that has risen in past 10 years, and promotes that only the Congress party can bring the poor’s share back in the poor’s hands.
Wordplay with ECI
As we gear up for third phase of elections in 94 Lok Sabha seats spread across 12 states and Union Territories on May 7, the Election Commission has a game for us all. It’s a wordgame with a matrix of letters posted by the Election Commission of India on X.
The task is to find names of at least 3 of the 12 states and Union Territories hidden in the word puzzle. It’s a part of the the election regulating body’s campaign to spread awareness about voting and the entire electoral process here.
Maria Alam Khan addresses a public meeting at Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh 
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