As second phase of 2019 Lok Sabha polls begin, here's PM Modi's message to citizens of India

With 95 Lok Sabha seats across 12 states and 1 union territory going to polls in the second phase of the 2019 general elections on Thursday, stakes are quite high for crucial seats like Mathura, Fatehpuri, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri among others.

As the citizens cast their votes in the second phase of 2019 polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to urge the voters to exercise their franchise, adding that he hopes more youngsters head to the polling booths.

READ: As 2019 Lok Sabha Elections Begin, Here's PM Modi's Message To Young And First-time Voters

While the original schedule of the second phase declared 97 seats to go into elections, the Election Commission of India earlier cancelled polling in Tamil Nadu's Vellore and Tripura East constituencies.Meanwhile, all the rest 38 out of 39 of Tamil Nadu (except Vellore) will go to polls in the second phase, with several other seats from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka among others.

Here are the states going to polls in the second phase

• Asaam - 5
• Bihar - 5
• Chattisgarh - 3
• Jammu and Kashmir - 2
• Karnataka  - 14
• Maharashtra - 10
• Manipur - 1
• Orissa - 5
• Tamil Nadu - 38
• Uttar Pradesh - 8
• West Bengal - 3
• Puducherry - 1

The polls will see seats from where high profile candidates are contending: 

Deve Gowda (JD), BK Hariprasad (Congress), PC Mohan (BJP), Yashwant Singh (BJP), Raj Babbar (Congress), Hema Malini (BJP), SP Singh Baghel (BJP), Maharaj Kumari Pragya Debburman (Congress), Farooq Abdullah (NC), Syed Mohsin (PDP), Mohammad Salim (CPM), Ashok Chavan (Congress)

Voting for the 543 Lok Sabha seats is being held in seven phases: April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

READ: 2019 Lok Sabha Elections Begin: India Goes To Polls For Phase 2 Of General Elections - Voting To Be Held For 95 Seats