India general elections 2024: 'Vote for democracy, not dictatorship', Mallikarjun Kharge's appeal to voters

Mallikarjun Kharge. File Pic

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge concealed a veiled attack against the Opposition in his appeal to voters. As voting for the fifth phase of the India general elections 2024 began on Monday, Kharge asked people to "vote for democracy, not for dictatorship."

In a post on X, Mallikarjun Kharge said, "My dear countrymen, If you want to protect democracy and the Constitution, you must vote. Before pressing the button on the EVM, remember that we have to vote for love and brotherhood, not for hatred," said Kharge.

"We have to vote against unemployment and inflation, not to make a few capitalists richer. We have to vote for the protection of our fundamental rights, not for those who snatch away our rights. We must vote for justice, not for injustice and oppression. We should vote for democracy, not for dictatorship," he further said.

The Congress president stated that the voters of eight states and union territories who will exercise their right to vote today on 49 Lok Sabha seats are going to vote on the agenda of youth justice, women justice, farmers justice, labourer justice and shareholding justice. When you press the EVM button, the swaying chair of dictatorship will get another push and democracy will gain strength.

Appealing to first-time voters, he said, "I welcome youth who are participating in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time. They have a responsibility in the ongoing polls. The trends of the four phases indicate that Hukumshah's departure is certain. Today is the fifth step towards his departure. A new beginning on June 4."

Voting for the fifth phase of the ongoing India general elections 2024 began on Monday morning across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 35 assembly constituencies of the Odisha legislative assembly is taking place simultaneously on Monday.

The fifth phase is witnessing key contests in various constituencies. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success.

Eight states/UTs polling in phase 5 are: Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. (ANI)

The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

(With inputs from Agencies)