2nd phase of polls hit by heat, maoists, clashes

New Delhi, Apr 23: The Second phase polling began at 7 AM with 140 constituencies across 12 states going into polling. While the areas troubled by Naxals were relatively peaceful, Andhra Pradesh saw political clashes. However, states like Orissa saw lower voter turn out due to the heat wave.

The states which went to polls are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Andhra Pradesh saw clashes between the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and superstar Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party.

Maoists attacked Jharkhand triggering landmine blasts near the polling booths, along with attacking a paramilitary camp and railway station.

In Assam there was moderate polling. A solider was killed and two others wounded in an ambush by tribal separatists in NC Hills.

While Madhya Pradesh saw lower voter turn out, Uttar Pradesh saw a turn out of 26 per cent and Karnataka about 30 per cent.

Bihar also saw a relatively peaceful poll day.

Thousands of voters turned up at 2,22,350 polling stations to choose from 2,034 nominees who will constitute the next Lok Sabha.

OneIndia News