India election resumes as Modi's rivals face challenges

The six-week election in India resumed on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's top rivals prepared to cast their votes in the capital city of New Delhi. These rivals have accused him of unfairly targeting them with criminal investigations.

At 73, Modi enjoys widespread popularity even after a decade in office. His ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is widely anticipated to secure a third term in the upcoming elections despite the challenges of recurring early summer heat waves.

Several criminal investigations into his opponents have further strengthened his prospects, raising concerns from UN rights chief Volker Turk and rights groups about the fairness of the upcoming poll.

In Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, 55, a prominent member of a diverse cross-party alliance aiming to remove the BJP from power, was imprisoned for several weeks this year due to an ongoing corruption case.

The Supreme Court recently released Kejriwal, and he has resumed his campaign. He passionately urges Indians to vote against what he perceives as a growing "dictatorship."

"Modi has embarked on a highly perilous endeavour," he remarked shortly after his release. There are claims that Modi will jail all opposition leaders.

Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi were scheduled to cast their votes in Delhi, where the polls opened at 7 a.m. on Saturday (0130 GMT). Gandhi's Congress party is leading the opposition alliance, which consists of over two dozen parties collectively competing against Modi.

Last year, Gandhi, from a family that has held significant power in Indian politics for generations, was found guilty of criminal libel. A member of Modi's party filed the charges.

After being sentenced to two years, he was barred from parliament until a higher court intervened and suspended the verdict.

In February, the authorities took action against several Congress bank accounts due to an ongoing disagreement regarding income tax returns filed half a decade ago. According to Gandhi, this move has significantly impacted the party's ability to participate in the election.

"We are facing a significant financial challenge in our campaign efforts, making it impossible for us to support our candidates," stated the 53-year-old during a press conference in March.

India's shrinking democratic space has long been a cause for concern among Modi's political opponents and international rights campaigners.

According to a report by US think-tank Freedom House, the BJP has been accused of utilising government institutions to target their political opponents.

Heat-wave 'red alert'

India is conducting its elections in seven phases, spread out over six weeks. This strategic approach has been adopted to tackle the significant logistical challenges associated with organising an election in the world's most populous country.

The turnout for the current national poll is several percentage points lower than that of the previous one in 2019. Analysts attribute this decline to the widespread anticipation of a Modi victory and the unusually high temperatures during the Indian summer.

This week, India's weather bureau issued a "red alert" for a heat wave in Delhi and the surrounding states. It is particularly concerning as tens of millions will be casting their ballots on Saturday. 

According to the India Meteorological Department, temperatures are expected to soar to a scorching 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit). This alarming forecast has raised concerns about the potential health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases.

Scientific research has revealed that heat waves are becoming longer, more frequent, and more intense due to climate change. Notably, Asia is experiencing a faster warming rate than the global average.

The Indian election is set to be one of the most extensive democratic exercises in history, with a staggering 968 million eligible voters. The final round of polling is scheduled for June 1, and the nation eagerly awaits the results, which are expected to be announced three days later.