An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard as Kashmiri voters wait in a queue to cast their votes outside a poling station during the second phase of India's general elections, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
The Associated Press
SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Voting began in the second phase of India's general election Thursday amid massive security and a lockdown in parts of the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Srinagar is one of 95 constituencies across 13 Indian states where voting was taking place.
Kashmiri Muslim separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region urged a boycott of the vote, calling it an illegitimate exercise under military occupation. Most polling stations in the Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir appeared deserted, with more police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff than voters.
"This is not our vote. Our vote will be on the day we're allowed to exercise plebiscite (on Kashmir's status)," said Intizar Ahmed, a young trader in Srinagar. Another resident, Abdul Hamid, said he only voted in the hope that a Kashmiri representative in India's Parliament will seek a resolution for the disputed region.
Authorities shut down mobile internet service and closed some roads with steel barricades and razor wire as soldiers and police in riot gear patrolled the streets. However, men and women in long queues voted briskly in Kashmir's Hindu-dominated Udhampur constituency.
The Indian election is taking place in seven phases over six weeks in the country of 1.3 billion people. Some 900 million people are registered to vote for candidates to fill 543 seats in India's lower house of Parliament. Voting concludes on May 19 and counting is scheduled for May 23.
The election, the world's largest democratic exercise, is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. The campaigning has been marred by accusations, insults and unprecedented use of social media for fake news.
Also voting Thursday was Tamil Nadu state in the south, where tens of thousands lined up to cast their ballots for 37 seats. Voting was postponed for the Vellore seat following the seizure of 110 million ($1.57 million) in unaccounted cash allegedly from the home of a local opposition politician, Kathir Anand.
His party accused federal tax authorities of raiding the homes and offices of party leaders running against Modi's party. The governing party in the state, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, is an ally of Modi's party.
The Election Commission said authorities had recovered 2 billion rupees ($29 million) from leaders, workers and supporters of various political parties in the state in the past month. They suspect the money was for buying votes.
In vote-rich Uttar Pradesh state, election officials directed authorities to provide drinking water and sun shelters at polling stations to cope with the scorching summer heat, said Vekenteshwar Lu, the state's chief electoral officer.
Modi promised big-ticket economic reforms, but with unemployment rising and farmers' distress aggravated by low crop prices, his party has adopted a nationalist pitch trying to win the majority Hindu votes.
A report by Azim Premji University in India's southern state of Karnataka, released on Wednesday, said 5 million men lost their jobs between 2016 and 2018, coinciding with Modi's demonetization program aimed at curbing black market money by taking high currency notes out of circulation. The decision ultimately hurt the poor, while most of the illicit funds re-entered the banking system.
The report said the overall unemployment rate in India was around 6% in 2018, double the average between 2000 and 2011.
Modi has used Kashmir to pivot away from his economic record, playing up the threat of rival Pakistan, especially after the suicide bombing of a paramilitary convoy on Feb. 14 that killed 40 soldiers, in a bid to appear a strong, uncompromising leader on national security. The bombing brought nuclear rivals India and Pakistan close to the brink of war.
Opposition parties have consistently said that Modi and his party leaders are digressing from the main issues such as youth employment and farmers' suicides. The main opposition Congress party has dubbed him a "national disaster."
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety. Rebels have been fighting Indian control since 1989. Most Kashmiris support the rebels' demand that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country, while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control.
Anti-India unrest has risen significantly since Modi came to power in 2014 amid a rise in Hindu nationalism and attacks against Muslims and other minorities.
Modi supporters say the tea seller's son from Gujarat state has improved the nation's standing. But critics say his party's Hindu nationalism has aggravated religious tensions in India.
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Associated Press writers Ashok Sharma in New Delhi and Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow, India, contributed to this report.
An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard as Kashmiri voters wait in a queue to cast their votes outside a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
The Associated Press
Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard on a deserted street during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
A Kashmiri man displays the indelible ink mark on his index finger after casting his vote, outside a polling booth during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a deserted street during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
A Kashmiri woman walks past an anti-election graffiti on the shutters of a shop during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard at a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
An Indian paramilitary soldier rests on a road leading to polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Ganderbal, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north east of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard at a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard outside a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Election officers sit inside an empty polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard on a deserted street during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a deserted street during the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Indians stand in a queue to cast their votes during the second phase of India's general elections in Chennai, India, Thursday, April 18, 2019. The Indian election is taking place in seven phases over six weeks in the country of 1.3 billion people. Some 900 million people are registered to vote for candidates to fill 543 seats in India's lower house of Parliament. (AP Photo/R. Parthibhan)
The Associated Press
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M.K. Stalin walks outside a polling station after casting his vote during the second phase of India's general elections in Chennai, India, Thursday, April 18, 2019. The Indian election is taking place in seven phases over six weeks in the country of 1.3 billion people. Some 900 million people are registered to vote for candidates to fill 543 seats in India's lower house of Parliament. (AP Photo/R. Parthibhan)
The Associated Press
Indian superstar Rajnikanth arrives to cast his vote during the second phase of India's general elections in Chennai, India, Thursday, April 18, 2019. The Indian election is taking place in seven phases over six weeks in the country of 1.3 billion people. Some 900 million people are registered to vote for candidates to fill 543 seats in India's lower house of Parliament. (AP Photo/R. Parthibhan)
The Associated Press
Indians stand in a queue to cast their votes during the second phase of India's general elections in Chennai, India, Thursday, April 18, 2019. The Indian election is taking place in seven phases over six weeks in the country of 1.3 billion people. Some 900 million people are registered to vote for candidates to fill 543 seats in India's lower house of Parliament. (AP Photo/R. Parthibhan)
The Associated Press
An elderly Kashmiri man pulls a child on a tricycle during a strike called on the second phase of India's general elections, in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
The Associated Press
An Indian soldier stands guard outside a poling station during the second phase of India's general elections, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
The Associated Press
A boy stands holding the hand of a Kashmiri voter waiting in a queue to cast his vote, outside a poling station during the second phase of India's general elections on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
The Associated Press
An elderly Kashmiri women walks toward a polling station to cast her vote during the second phase of India's general elections, in Baba Nagri, about 44 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Kashmiri women walk back from a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Baba Nagri, about 44 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Elderly Kashmiri voters wait to cast their votes, outside a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections in Baba Nagri, about 44 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Kashmiri women wait in a queue to cast their votes during the second phase of India's general elections, in Baba Nagri, about 44 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
A Kashmiri woman walks out of a polling station after casting her vote during the second phase of India's general elections, in Baba Nagri, about 44 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
An Indian paramilitary soldier rests on a road leading to polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Ganderbal, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north east of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Kashmiri voters stand in a queue outside a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Baba Nagri, about 44 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
Young Kashmiri girls carry firewood and walk past voters standing in a queue outside a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, in Baba Nagri, about 44 kilometers (28 miles) northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin)
The Associated Press
A young Kashmiri woman walks past voters standing in a queue to cast their votes at a polling station during the second phase of India's general elections, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Kashmiri separatist leaders who challenge India's sovereignty over the disputed region have called for a boycott of the vote. Most polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam areas of Kashmir looked deserted in the morning with more armed police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff present than voters. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
The Associated Press