The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Indore): In a remarkable development during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Indore has registered the highest-ever count of NOTA (None of the Above) votes, with 1,82,766 voters opting for this choice as of 1:10 p.m. on June 4. This phenomenon is observed while the BJP leads in all 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) data.
Shankar Lalwani of the BJP has taken a commanding lead of over 8 lakh votes in Indore. However, the second-highest number of votes counted in the constituency were for NOTA. Introduced in Indian elections in 2013, NOTA allows voters to express their disapproval of all candidates contesting in the election.
The high NOTA count follows the last-minute withdrawal of Congress candidate Akshay Kanti Bam, which effectively gave the BJP a walkover. In response, the Congress launched a campaign encouraging voters to choose NOTA on polling day. Interestingly, several BJP leaders also voiced concerns that the absence of an opposition candidate set a problematic precedent.
Despite this unique occurrence in Indore, the BJP remains confident across Madhya Pradesh, with their candidates leading in all 29 constituencies, including Chhindwara, the only seat they lost to the Congress in 2019.