This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-27122127

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
India election: Voting begins on big polling day India election: Modi to submit nomination papers as Indians vote
(35 minutes later)
Narendra Modi, the man widely expected to be India's next leader, is set to submit his nomination papers as Indians vote in the sixth phase of their poll. Narendra Modi, the man expected to be India's next leader, is to submit his election nomination papers as Indians vote in the sixth phase of their poll.
He arrived in the holy city of Varanasi as supporters from his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) poured onto the streets.He arrived in the holy city of Varanasi as supporters from his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) poured onto the streets.
The city will be the scene of an epic battle between Mr Modi and anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal, who is challenging him there.The city will be the scene of an epic battle between Mr Modi and anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal, who is challenging him there.
There are 117 seats up for grabs on Thursday, but Varanasi votes on 12 May.There are 117 seats up for grabs on Thursday, but Varanasi votes on 12 May.
The ruling Congress party is battling the opposition BJP to win the votes of the 814 million Indians eligible to vote. The ruling Congress party is battling the opposition BJP to win the votes of the 814 million Indians eligible to vote.
About 2,000 candidates are making their pitch for 180 million of those votes on Thursday as voting takes place in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Indian-administered Kashmir. About 2,000 candidates are hoping to win over 180 million of those votes as polling takes place in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday.
Key battleground Star voters
The southern state of Tamil Nadu, where voting will be held in all 39 seats on Thursday, is a key battleground. The southern state of Tamil Nadu, where voting is being held in all 39 seats on Thursday, is a key battleground to watch.
The main contest is between two powerful regional parties - the ruling AIADMK and the main opposition DMK. More than 35% of votes have been polled in the state by 11:00 local time (05:30GMT), the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder reports from the state capital, Chennai.
The two main national parties are fringe players in the state: the BJP has stitched up a six-party alliance and hopes to put up a challenge in some constituencies, while the Congress is fighting alone. The main contest is between two powerful regional parties - the ruling AIADMK and the main opposition DMK. The two main national parties are fringe players in the state and have traditionally formed alliances in order to ensure power.
India's financial capital, Mumbai, is also voting on Thursday in what promises to be a keenly-contested battle between two competing alliances: the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance is pitted against a resurgent BJP-Shiv Sena party. India's financial capital, Mumbai, is also voting on Thursday in what promises to be a keenly-contested battle between two alliances: the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance against a resurgent BJP-Shiv Sena party.
In the western suburb of Bandra, people have been coming in to cast their votes since the morning, says the BBC's Yogita Limaye. Mumbai usually doesn't see very high turnouts - it was just over 41% in the 2009 election - but many here say this time things might be different. The BBC's Yogita Limaye in the western suburb of Bandra reports a steady stream of voters.
Mumbai usually doesn't see very high turnouts - it was just over 41% in the 2009 election - but many here say this time things might be different. This is also an area where many Bollywood actors live. Superstar Aamir Khan has already cast his vote, while Shahrukh Khan is expected to do so in the afternoon, adds our correspondent.
This is also an area where many Bollywood actors live and superstar Aamir Khan has already cast his vote, while Shahrukh Khan is expected to do so in the afternoon, adds our correspondent. Voting in phases
Among the star candidates whose fates will be decided by Thursday's vote are BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, social activist and anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party's Medha Patkar, former Bollywood actress and BJP's Hema Malini and the regional Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.
The marathon vote is being staggered over five weeks for security and logistical reasons. The nine-phase vote began on 7 April and will conclude on 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May.The marathon vote is being staggered over five weeks for security and logistical reasons. The nine-phase vote began on 7 April and will conclude on 12 May. Votes will be counted on 16 May.
The main contest in the election is between the Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, and the BJP, led by the charismatic and controversial Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi.The main contest in the election is between the Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, and the BJP, led by the charismatic and controversial Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi.
Mr Modi, who is ahead in all the pre-election opinion polls, is the leader of Gujarat state, which witnessed one of India's worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002.Mr Modi, who is ahead in all the pre-election opinion polls, is the leader of Gujarat state, which witnessed one of India's worst anti-Muslim riots in 2002.
The anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man's) Party, which secured a spectacular result in local polls in Delhi last year, offers a challenge to the main parties. Arvind Kejriwal, contesting against Mr Modi in Varanasi is at the helm of the anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man's) Party, which secured a spectacular result in local polls in Delhi last year and offers a challenge to the main parties.
Several smaller regional parties are also in the fray and if no single party wins a clear majority, they could play a crucial role in the formation of a government.Several smaller regional parties are also in the fray and if no single party wins a clear majority, they could play a crucial role in the formation of a government.
Any party or a coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government.Any party or a coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government.