Campaigning for the second and final phase of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh ends this evening. Polling in 72 constituencies spread across 19 districts will be held on Tuesday.

Leaders of many political parties are holding public meetings at various places to garner support for their candidates.

Addressing a rally in Mahasamund today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for development in Chhattisgarh. He said, 10 of the 15 years of BJP government in the state were spent in struggle under the UPA rule which adopted a negative approach towards BJP-ruled states.

Mr Modi said, after his government came to power at the Centre, Chhattisgarh witnessed development as various government schemes and people’s participation took the state to new heights.

Senior Congress leaders Raj Babbar and Navjot Singh Sidhu are also addressing public meetings at several places.

Polling for the first phase in 18 Maoist-affected constituencies took place on the 12th of this month.

In Rajasthan, Congress released its third list of 18 candidates for the Assembly elections this afternoon, while BJP is busy finalising its candidates for 30 seats. In the third list, Congress left 5 seats for its alliance parties. 2 seats have given to Rastriya Lok Dal, 2 seats to Loktantrik Janta Dal and one seat to NCP. Congress also changed its candidates on 3 seats.

The name of former state Congress President BD Kalla is announced from Bikaner West seat. MP from Alwar Dr. Karan Singh Yadav has been declared candidate from Kishangarh Bas.

Electioneering has also intensified in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram. Both states will go to polls in a single phase on the 28th of this month.

Leaders of various parties are leaving no stone unturned to win the voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is will address rallies at Indore and Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh later in the day.

BJP President Amit Shah is also holding public meetings in Vindhya area. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma, Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh are also taking part in campaigning.

A total of two thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine candidates are in the fray in elections to 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly.

In Mizoram, the State Election Commission is organising training programmes for polling officers as well as Block level staff. Chief Electoral Officer Ashish Kundra said, videography of polling will be made in 32 ‘critical’ polling stations.

In Telangana, political parties have begun efforts for damage control after several leaders expressed dissent over ticket distribution.

Congress senior leader and Legislature Council Deputy Leader P Sudhakar Reddy began consultations with a group of leaders who wanted to contest the election under a different group.

A number of leaders also left the TRS party after they were denied tickets.