India heads to the polls in world's biggest election

marathon general election, kicking off a vote in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to win a rare third consecutive term.

The 73-year-old's transformational rule has been marked by infrastructure and welfare projects, fervent Hindu nationalism, rapid economic expansion and an increasing presence on the world stage. Modi wants to turn the country into a global manufacturing hub, continue its massive infrastructure transformation, and achieve energy independence by 2047.

Challenging the BJP is India's main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, and its newly formed INDIA alliance of parties. It speaks directly to critiques from rights groups that the BJP is eroding democratic values, by promising to restore freedom of the media, to strengthen the autonomy of the Election Commission and other state agencies, and review laws passed by the BJP "without proper parliamentary scrutiny and debate."

Among the most politically important states is Uttar Pradesh, home to 240 million people who vote in all seven phases. India's largest state is a crucial battleground with 80 seats in the Lok Sabha up for grabs. In the northern city of Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, a bride arrived at a polling station early on Friday to cast her vote. Dressed in a red lehenga and draped in diamond jewellery, she said she wanted to support her uncle, who was standing for election.

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