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Bengaluru, Nov 4 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said he has appealed to the people of Bihar to vote for Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav to bring about a change in the electoral state.
“To bring change in Bihar, I have appealed to the voters to support the grand alliance and ensure that Tejashwi Yadav becomes the chief minister,” Shivkumar said.
Speaking to the media near the Bengaluru “Kaushalya Summit” 2025 event held on Tuesday, the Deputy Chief Minister answered questions regarding the letter he had written requesting paid leave for Bihari voters working in Bengaluru so that they could cast their votes.
He said, “Voting is the first and foremost right in a democratic system. Our vote is our right. Therefore, every citizen should exercise his franchise and participate in the electoral process. As the state president of the Congress Party, I have appealed to all organizations to give paid leave to Bihari voters so that they can participate in the elections.”
When asked about the confidence of the RJD and Congress alliance in Bihar elections, he said, “The people of Bihar want change. So we are confident. This reflects the sentiment of the entire country.”
Asked if he would request special train facility for Bihari voters, Shivakumar said, “I will not comment on it right now. It is enough if the Bihari workers here get paid leave so that they can go and cast their votes.”
He said, “I will not interfere in matters related to the central government. It is the responsibility of the central government to help everyone. People of Bihar are working here in various sectors including construction and are contributing to nation building.”
He said, “We (Karnataka government) are proud of their (people of Bihar) hard work. I have assured them that they will be allowed to set up their own associations. People from some states like Assam have already applied to form such associations. They should be given an opportunity to meet and share their views.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Shivakumar has appealed to private firms and companies in Bengaluru and across the state to provide three days of paid leave to workers in Bihar so that they can cast their votes in the Bihar Assembly elections.
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on November 6 and November 11. A large number of Bihar residents are working in Bengaluru and across Karnataka. In this context, I urge all companies, industrialists, hoteliers, contractors, builders, shops and establishments and other entrepreneurs to provide at least three days of paid leave to enable the voters of Bihar to participate in the elections.”
“I request them to grant paid leave and facilitate the voters of Bihar to actively participate in the democratic process,” Shivakumar said.
–IANS
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