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New Delhi, Nov 6 (IANS) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the people of Bihar to use their vote as a tool for change and called it a golden opportunity to teach a lesson to “opportunistic rulers” who have betrayed the state for the last two decades.
In a post on social media platform ‘X’, Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Voting for the first phase of assembly elections has started in Bihar, the birthplace of democracy. I appeal to every voter of Bihar to exercise their constitutional right in large numbers and give the state a new direction of change after 20 years.”
He stressed the need to build a Bihar where the future of the youth is secure and they are free from the burden of unemployment and migration.
He said, “We have to create a Bihar where the future of the youth of the state is secure and they do not have to suffer from unemployment and migration.”
Highlighting his vision of inclusive development, Kharge said, “Every section of the society – Dalit, Mahadalit, tribal, backward, extremely backward, economically weaker, minorities, all should get equal rights and we should create a new definition of social justice so that Bihar’s contribution to the country’s progress increases.”
Accusing the ruling parties of terming corruption, misgovernance and ‘jungle raj’ as “development”, the Congress leader said, “The conscious people of Bihar today have a golden opportunity to teach a lesson to those opportunistic rulers who have cheated the people in the last 20 years by terming corruption, misgovernance and jungle raj as “development”. Don’t let this opportunity slip away.”
He concluded by appealing to first-time voters to enthusiastically participate in the democratic process.
He said, “I especially appeal to the youth who are voting for the first time, they should not miss this opportunity and must exercise their right to vote for change. Please vote and encourage your friends and family to also vote. Jai Hind, Jai Bihar.”
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 of forces have been deployed across the state.
–IANS
JK/DPB