The first phase of India's general elections, scheduled for April 19, will see prominent political figures including eight Union ministers, two former chief ministers, and an ex-governor contesting across 102 constituencies in 21 states and Union territories.
Union road and transport minister Nitin Gadkari is vying for a third consecutive term from Nagpur, where he previously defeated both a seven-time MP and the current Maharashtra Congress chief by significant margins.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju seeks to maintain his representation of Arunachal West, a seat he has held since 2004, facing off against Nabam Tuki, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.
In Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, is campaigning in Dibrugarh, shifting from his role in the Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, Union minister Sanjeev Baliyan faces a tight race in Muzaffarnagar's intricate caste landscape against candidates from the Samajwadi Party and the BSP.
Further contests feature Jitendra Singh in Udhampur, aiming for a third term, and Bhupendra Yadav, who challenges a sitting Congress MLA in Rajasthan's Alwar district.
Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is contesting against a former Congress minister in Bikaner.
In Tamil Nadu, notable battles include A Raja, a former telecom minister and incumbent DMK MP, against BJP’s L Murugan in the Nilgiris constituency, and Karti Chidambaram who seeks re-election in Sivaganga, a seat previously won by his father seven times.
Other significant races include Tamilisai Soundararajan, former governor and now a candidate in Chennai South, and Nakul Nath, who is defending his seat in Chhindwara, a stronghold previously held by his father, Kamal Nath.
These elections will unfold over seven phases from April 19 to June 1, determining the makeup of the 18th Lok Sabha. The final results will be announced on June 4.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a record-equalling third straight term, the opposition’s INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc is trying their best to stop BJP’s winning run.
(PTI)
Curator Emma Slocombe with ikat robes and arabachi coats in the Peter the Great Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
View of the entrance to Blickling Hall on a rainy autumn dayAmit Roy 
Kente cloth from Ghana in the Long Gallery in Blickling Hall 
Decoration in the Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Palampore fragment made in coastal south-east India in the Brown Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Bed valance dating from early 1700s in the Italian Print Room at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Indian inspired fabric draped on sofas in the South Drawing Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Indian inspired fabric draped on sofas in the South Drawing Room with Indian carpet in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Karun Thakar has picked out the geometric patterns in the bookcase and the Kente cloth in the Long Gallery in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Large tapestry depicting Peter the Great defeating the Swedish army at the Battle of Poltava in 1709 Amit Roy 
ikat robes and arabachi coats in the Peter the Great Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Baghs and kanthas made by women provide contrast to the men only portraits in the Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Baghs and kanthas in the entrance Great Hall at Blickling Hall Amit Roy
Baghs and Kanthas in the Great Hall in harmony with stained glass window at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Kimonos reflect Japanese influence in Upper Ante Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Kimono in Upper Ante Room in Blickling Hall 
A view of the Palace and fort at Agra shows romantic side of India Amit Roy 
Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Table carpet, European 1670-1680 Amit Roy 
Unfinished 17th century Italian embroidery in the Print Room at Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Picture of Kashmir shows a romantic view of India Amit Roy 
A panel of Ashburnham bed hangings made in Gujarat for sale in Europe in the Brown Room in Blickling Hall Amit Roy 
Colcha made in the 1600s by women in Bengal for the Portuguese market in the Long Gallery at Blickling Hall Amit Roy
