Mumbai Votes in India's Election as Opposition Gets Boost
(Bloomberg) -- Voters in India’s financial capital Mumbai — home to billionaires, film stars and millions of slum dwellers — went to the polls on Monday, with the opposition alliance making a renewed push to break Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hold on power.
Voting is taking place in six constituencies in Mumbai as well as 43 others across the country in phase five of India’s seven-phase elections. Nationwide polls began on April 19 and will run until June 1, with almost 1 billion eligible voters choosing candidates for the 543 seats in the lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha. Results are expected on June 4.
Financial markets in India were closed Monday due to a public holiday in Mumbai to allow residents to vote.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was predicting a big majority win in India’s election, but a slight drop in voter turnout and media reports of a tight contest in some areas have raised questions about the party’s support. The BJP is facing an opposition alliance of more than 20 parties, which has been given a renewed boost recently following the release on bail of popular leader Arvind Kejriwal from jail.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/mumbai-heads-polls-india-opposition-000000830.html