Here's who said what:Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that in the first five phases of the Lok Sabha elections, people rejected lies, hatred and propaganda, prioritizing real issues.
Gandhi and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi cast their votes in New Delhi.
"Your vote will not only improve your life but also protect democracy and the Constitution," he added.Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar cast his vote at a Delhi polling booth.
Maliwal highlighted the importance of women's participation in politics after casting her vote in Delhi.
We will have a hat trick in Delhi," Puri said.He expressed confidence in the BJP securing over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar
Foreign minister Jaishankar
AAP MP Swati Maliwal
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri
Delhi minister Atishi
(With agency inputs)
NEW DELHI: Polling for the seven parliamentary constituencies in Delhi began on Saturday morning in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election, amid tight security arrangements.The weather department issued a "yellow alert" and predicted the mercury could reach a maximum of 44 degrees Celsius with the Delhi election department making preparations for voters to cope with the heat. People were seen queuing outside polling stations before voting commenced at 7 am.This Lok Sabha election marks the first in Delhi where AAP and the Congress have fielded joint candidates against the BJP, posing a challenge to the ruling party at the Centre.As voting is underway, many high profile leaders cast their votes in Delhi. Here's who said what:Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that in the first five phases of the Lok Sabha elections, people rejected lies, hatred and propaganda, prioritizing real issues. He urged voters to come out in large numbers in the sixth phase and vote for their rights and future. Gandhi and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi cast their votes in New Delhi. Gandhi posted a picture with Sonia Gandhi displaying their inked fingers on X.“In the first five phases of voting, you have rejected lies, hatred and propaganda and given priority to grassroots issues related to your life," Gandhi said. He outlined several promises, including job guarantees for youth, financial support for women from poor families, debt relief for farmers, and fair wages for laborers. "Your vote will not only improve your life but also protect democracy and the Constitution," he added.Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar cast his vote at a Delhi polling booth. Speaking on the Supreme Court's recent decision to decline directions on the Election Commission's handling of Form 17C data and booth-wise voter turnout, Kumar higlighted the need to dispel doubts surrounding electoral processes."They have acknowledged the truth. An attempt is made to create an atmosphere of doubt. We will discuss this with everyone one day for sure," Kumar said. He committed to addressing concerns about electoral integrity, stating, "What's the play here, why are doubts created, and why are suspicions raised, we will reveal all of this one day and show everyone how people are misled."External affairs minister S Jaishankar was one of the first at his polling booth to cast his vote. "We have just cast our vote and I was the first male voter in this booth. We want people to come out and cast their votes as this is a decisive moment for the country," he said. "I believe that the voters in Delhi will once again support Viksit Bharat and the Modi government," he added.Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal called on citizens, especially women, to vote as polling commenced for all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital. Maliwal highlighted the importance of women's participation in politics after casting her vote in Delhi."It is a very big day for the democracy. I want to appeal to everyone, especially women to come out and cast their votes. In India, women's participation in politics is very important," Maliwal said.Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and his wife Lakshmi Puri cast their votes in Delhi. "Come out in large numbers and vote. Political consciousness is very high in India. Shed your apathy. The issues are very clear, the issues are about development. But the issues that the opposition is framing, they try to create a false narrative in the process they score self-goals. They have lost it. We will have a hat trick in Delhi," Puri said.He expressed confidence in the BJP securing over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. "There is a sentiment for '400 paar' and there is no difficulty in crossing 400 seats since we already have 303 seats and our seats increase by 10 percent every election," Puri stated.Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi cast her vote in the sixth phase of the general elections and alleged that Delhi's lieutenant governor VK Saxena held a meeting with Delhi Police to slow down voting in areas strong for the INDIA bloc."We have received official information that last evening, LG had called a meeting of Delhi Police officials and instructions were given to Delhi Police that in all the areas which are strongholds of the INDIA alliance, voting should be slowed down in those areas. If this happens then it will be a violation of free and fair elections," Atishi alleged. She cast her vote in New Delhi's Kalkaji area."I hope that the people of Delhi and the country will come out of their homes and vote despite the heat. Elections are a festival of democracy and it is the responsibility of every person to participate in it," she added.Voting for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections is underway for eight seats each in Bihar and Bengal, seven in Delhi, ten in Haryana, four in Jharkhand, fourteen in Uttar Pradesh, and the final seat in Jammu & Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, where polling was rescheduled from the third to the sixth phase.
