Patna: Voters in Patna district are casting their ballots today in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections, focusing on two key constituencies: Patna Sahib and Pataliputra. As of 9 am, voter turnout stands at 10.76% in Patna Sahib and 12.39% in Pataliputra.
However, discontent is evident at booth number 188 in Ghurna Bigha, part of the Paliganj assembly within Pataliputra constituency. By 8.30 am, not a single vote had been cast. Villagers are boycotting the election, chanting “No road, no vote” in protest of unfulfilled promises regarding infrastructure. They claim no roads have been built in their village, despite repeated assurances from candidates. The presiding officer confirmed the absence of voters since the polls opened.
Prominent political figures have been seen casting their votes. Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi voted at booth number 171 at Veterinary College, accompanied by their daughter, Rohini Acharya, who expressed her support for women’s issues. Tej Pratap Yadav hinted at significant political developments post-June 4, suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence signals an impending victory for the INDIA Alliance.
The Election Commission has launched a green initiative at Jahanabad booth number 236 in Patna Sahib, where voters are being gifted trees such as mango, lemon, custard apple, and guava. This booth has been designated a “green booth,” promoting the message “one vote, one tree.” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to vote here later today.
BJP national minister Rituraj Sinha and his wife Pallavi Sinha cast their votes at Loyola School, while former MP RK Sinha voted at booth number 257 in Digha Vidhan Sabha, Patna Sahib. Voting commenced at 7 am, with a steady stream of voters showing enthusiasm for the electoral process.
In Patna Sahib, the main contenders are BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad and Congress’ Anshul Avijit. In Pataliputra, Misa Bharti, daughter of Lalu Prasad, faces BJP’s Ram Kripal Yadav for the third consecutive time. A total of 39 candidates are contesting in these constituencies, with 4,290 polling booths set up for over 4.3 million voters.
Long queues are forming at several polling stations, including booth 254 in Jinpura village, Bihta Nagar. Among those voting are elderly citizens like 74-year-old Jayamangal Singh and 86-year-old Bindeshwar Sharma. Security personnel are conducting thorough checks to ensure a smooth voting process.
