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Patna, 6 November (IANS) RJD candidate from Chhapra assembly constituency and Bhojpuri actor Khesari Lal Yadav cast his vote on Thursday and urged people to focus on education and employment along with faith. He said that while the construction of Ram Temple is important, building better universities is equally important for the future of the next generation.
Speaking to reporters, Khesari Lal Yadav said, “It is good to have faith, but just by going to the temple, will I become a teacher? By going to the Ram temple, will I become a professor or an officer? No. Faith is a personal matter, but education is what builds the nation. So yes, build temples, build mosques, build whatever you want – but also build good universities. Work for the education of our children and their future.”
He further said, “Give people employment and the means to live with dignity. We don’t vote for someone like Trump; we vote for our leaders, expecting them to work for us. I’m not saying don’t build a Ram temple – build it – but at the same time, build better universities for the future of our children. Vote for the future of your children. Vote for anyone, but do vote.”
Meanwhile, voting for the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections began at 7 am on Thursday in 18 districts of the state.
Voting is taking place in 121 assembly constituencies and 1,314 candidates, including 1,192 male and 122 female candidates, are in the fray in this election.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 3,75,13,302 voters, including 1,98,35,325 male, 1,76,77,219 female and 758 third gender voters, will decide the fate of 1314 candidates in this election.
The total number of polling stations is 45,341, including 36,733 in rural areas and 8,608 in urban areas.
ECI has declared 320 model stations, 926 women-managed and 107 PwD-managed, in these districts. Webcasting will be available at all 45,341 polling stations.
Voting will continue at general booths till 6 pm. However, voting in six assembly constituencies located in Naxal-affected areas will end at 5 pm
Voting is going on in Khagaria, Munger, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura, Nalanda, Patna, Bhojpur, Madhepura, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai and Buxar.
Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the first phase. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in all 18 districts, with special patrolling at sensitive and ultra-sensitive booths. More than 15 battalions have been deployed across the state.
Patna district administration said that security personnel have been deployed at every booth to prevent any disturbance or spread of rumours. There are 5,677 polling stations in the state capital alone, including 541 women-only polling stations, 49 model polling stations, 14 disabled-friendly polling stations and three youth-themed polling stations.
–IANS
JK/DPB