New Delhi, Nov 20 (FN Bureau) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to all the voters, especially young and women, to vote in a large number as the polling for assembly elections began in Maharashtra and Jharkhand amid tight security. Voting for the single-phase Maharashtra Assembly elections started at 7 am on Wednesday and will continue until 6 pm. The election is being held across 288 assembly constituencies.In a social media post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Voting is going on today for all the constituencies of Maharashtra Assembly Elections. I urge all the voters of the state to participate enthusiastically in this process and add beauty to this festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to come forward and vote in large numbers.”A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections, including 2,086 independents.
The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the NCP 59. The Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. Prime Minister Modi also urged the Jharkhand voters to participate “enthusiastically” and create a new record of voting.In a social media post on X, “Today is the second and last phase of the great festival of democracy in Jharkhand. I urge all voters to participate in it enthusiastically and create a new record of voting. On this occasion, I specially congratulate all my young friends who are going to vote for the first time. Your every vote is the strength of the state”. Voting is being held in 38 constituencies in 12 districts. Polling began at 7 am and will conclude at 5 pm, while in Naxal infested 31 booths, polling will be held up to 4 pm due to security reasons.Altogether 528 candidates, including Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri of the BJP, are trying their luck in the second phase of the elections.