PM Modi also appealed to women and young voters to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters on Monday to cast their franchise in record numbers for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, making a special plea to women and young voters to actively participate in the festival of democracy.
“As 49 seats across 8 states and UTs go to the polls today in the 5th phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, I urge all those whose constituencies are polling today to vote in record numbers. I especially appeal to women and young voters to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy,” read the post by the Prime Minister on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to the microblogging site X and appealed to voters to elect a visionary leadership that will continue to enhance the pride of the nation.
“I appeal to all the people who are going to cast their votes in the fifth phase of the polling today to elect a visionary leadership that will continue to enhance the pride of the nation. Ensure that every vote is directed towards forming a government that will continue to build robust mechanisms for welfare, border, and internal security and develop every sector and every segment of society, leaving no one behind,” read the post by Amit Shah.
“Vote for a government that has created a track record of adopting every dream of yours as its resolve and working towards it with the utmost care and perseverance,” read the post by the Home Minister.
The stage is set for interesting battles across eight states and union territories in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls, with some seats turning into prestige contests for political dynasties and senior leaders seeking to retain their influence.
A total of 49 constituencies from six states and two union territories are set for polls on Monday in the fifth phase of polling.
The contests include Amethi and Raebareli, considered traditional strongholds of Congress in Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, mock polling was underway at a polling station in West Bengal’s Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency, which goes to the polls today in the fifth phase. The Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency is one of West Bengal’s 42 seats.
Mock polls were also underway at various booths in Howrah, Leh (Ladakh), Bihar’s Hajipur and Chhapra, Odisha’s Rourkela, Mumbai’s Bandra, and Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli, among other seats where voting will be held today.
The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4.
The Narendra Modi-led BJP is seeking a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is aiming to wrest power by stopping the juggernaut. (ANI)
Vote for democracy, not dictatorship: Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge concealed a veiled attack against the Opposition in his appeal to voters. As voting for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha election began on Monday, Kharge asked people to “vote for democracy, not for dictatorship.”
In a post on X, Mallikarjun Kharge said, “My dear countrymen, If you want to protect democracy and the Constitution, you must vote. Before pressing the button on the EVM, remember that we have to vote for love and brotherhood, not for hatred,” said Kharge.
“We have to vote against unemployment and inflation, not to make a few capitalists richer. We have to vote for the protection of our fundamental rights, not for those who snatch away our rights. We must vote for justice, not for injustice and oppression. We should vote for democracy, not for dictatorship,” he further said.
The Congress president stated that the voters of eight states and union territories who will exercise their right to vote today on 49 Lok Sabha seats are going to vote on the agenda of youth justice, women justice, farmers justice, labourer justice and shareholding justice. When you press the EVM button, the swaying chair of dictatorship will get another push and democracy will gain strength.
Appealing to first-time voters, he said, “I welcome youth who are participating in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time. They have a responsibility in the ongoing polls. The trends of the four phases indicate that Hukumshah’s departure is certain. Today is the fifth step towards his departure. A new beginning on June 4.”
Voting for the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Monday morning across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly is taking place simultaneously on Monday.
The fifth phase is witnessing key contests in various constituencies. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success.
Eight states/UTs polling in phase 5 are: Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. (ANI)
The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)