A total of 1,302 candidates are in the fray — 1,165 men, 136 women, and one third-gender candidate. The main contest is between NDA vs Mahagathbandhan, though AIMIM and Jan Suraj are posing challenges in some pockets. In this phase, polling is being held in 122 constituencies — 101 general, 19 SC reserved, and 2 ST reserved seats.