The voting process for assembly elections started on Thursday in three important states of the country – Assam, Kerala and Union Territory Puducherry. On this occasion, many senior leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ruling BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi have appealed to the voters to come out of their homes in large numbers and exercise their franchise.
Voting is taking place today on 126 assembly seats in Assam, 140 in Kerala and 30 in Puducherry. Special emphasis is being laid on the participation of youth and women in this celebration of democracy.
Prime Minister Modi’s call: ‘Make the celebration of democracy successful’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people of Assam, Kerala and Puducherry to vote in their regional languages - Assamese, Malayalam and Tamil.
For Assam: The PM wrote on
For Kerala: He expressed confidence that the record participation will give new energy to the democratic spirit of Kerala.
For Puducherry: Modi said every vote is precious in shaping the future of Puducherry.
BJP President Nitin Nabin: ‘Vote for development and security’
Putting forward the development agenda, BJP national president Nitin Nabin asked voters to vote for the concept of ‘developed state’.
Security issue in Assam: Nabeen said the vote of the people of Assam will not only be decisive in ensuring the state’s security, ‘soil, daughter and livelihood’ but will also help in keeping the state free from infiltration and instability.
Corruption free governance in Kerala: For Kerala he said that this is the time to elect a corruption free and appeasement free government. He urged the youth and first-time voters to vote for ‘Developed Keralam’.
Appeal of Congress leadership: ‘Elect government for change and justice’
On behalf of the opposition, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised questions on the current government and appealed to the public for change.
Kharge’s vision: Mallikarjun Kharge told the people of Kerala that the strength of the state is its ‘unity in diversity’. Referring to unemployment, financial crisis and farmers’ problems, he asked where is the relief? He asked people to elect a government that “listens, cares and works.”
Priyanka Gandhi’s message: Priyanka Gandhi, while directly appealing to vote in favor of UDF, said that the people of Kerala deserve a government which works not for remaining in power, but for the welfare of the people. He described it as ‘a time of change’.
Message from local stalwarts: Sarma vs Gogoi
Two big faces of Assam politics, Chief Minister Himanta Vishwa Sharma and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi also spoke.
Himanta Biswa Sarma: Outgoing Chief Minister Sarma, contesting from Jalukbari seat, said that every voice and every vote matters to take Assam to new heights. He appealed for massive voting to strengthen democracy.
Gaurav Gogoi: Through a Facebook post, Gogoi called it a day to secure the future of Assam. He urged the voters to vote according to their conscience and raised the slogan ‘Jai Aayi Assam’ while wishing the youth who were voting for the first time.
In Puducherry, where 3 centrally nominated members are part of the assembly along with 30 elected seats, the electoral contest in Assam and Kerala also remains very interesting. The results of this voting taking place today will be declared on May 4, when the votes will be counted. The administration has made strict security arrangements at all the polling stations so that voting can be conducted peacefully.
