The electoral battle has intensified for the second phase of assembly polls in Jharkhand and single-phase polling in Maharashtra. Top leaders of various political parties are leaving no stone unturned to garner support for their candidates.
Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi addressed public meetings at Sarath in Deoghar district and Godda district of Jharkhand. He asserted that the BJP and the NDA have been instrumental in the creation and development of Jharkhand and are committed to making it one of India’s leading states. He vowed to address the declining tribal population and infiltration in the Santhal region. The Prime Minister noted the enthusiasm of voters in the first phase of the elections, stressing that people’s resolve to protect livelihood, daughters, and land is evident at every polling booth.
Mr Modi accused the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress and RJD alliance of rampant corruption and diverting funds sent by the Centre for the welfare of the poor for personal gains.
Accusing Congress, JMM, and RJD of doing dynastic politics, he said that these parties only cared for their own families and not the public. He also accused the Congress of plotting to dismantle the reservation system.
At an election rally in Baghmara, senior JMM leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren accused the central government of neglecting Jharkhand, stating that it has failed to address the needs of tribal communities and the poor. He emphasized his commitment to addressing these issues if re-elected.
Meanwhile, leaders from RJD, AJSU, and leftist parties also held campaign events across the state. Polling in Jharkhand in the second phase will take place for 38 seats on the 20th of this month.
Voting for all 288 constituencies in Maharashtra will also take place on the same day.
BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a public rally at Dondaicha in Dhule district of Maharashtra. He reassured that he would protect the reservation quotas for SC, ST, and OBC communities, pledging that these quotas would not be reduced. Mr Shah accused the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of a soft stance on terrorism, emphasizing that national security remains a top priority for the NDA government. Mr Shah also addressed a rally in Jintur.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the NDA government for not increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for soybeans. He also criticized the Central government for making false promises to farmers.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray also addressed a rally in Sawantwadi. NCP leader Sharad Pawar also held rallies across different constituencies in Pune.
Campaigning is also in full swing for by-elections in 15 assembly constituencies including, nine seats in Uttar Pradesh, four in Punjab, and one each in Kerala, and Uttarakhand along with Maharashtra’s Nanded Parliamentary Constituency where voting will be held on the 20th of November.
The counting of votes will be held on the 23rd of November.
