"A good government and leadership can change future of Maharashtra": Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], November 20 (ANI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday cast his vote for the Maharashtra elections and said that the state was a role model for the country considering the high foreign investments it received.

Speaking to ANI, Gadkari said "Maharashtra is a progressive and prosperous state of the country. The state receives highest foreign investment and agricultural exports are also increasing here. It is a good role model state for the country. A good government and good leadership can change the future of Maharashtra.

Further, he appealed to the people to vote in large numbers and strengthen the democracy.

"Today is the festival of democracy. I appeal to the people to vote and exercise their democratic rights. We will win with a good majority in Maharashtra. People have to vote for the development and the future of the state," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress's state unit President Nana Patole exuded confidence that the Aghadi alliance would emerge victorious in the state.

"In Maharashtra, Maha Vikas Aghadi will form its government under the leadership of Congress. Congress is going to get the maximum number of votes in the state. The way Vinod Tawde was caught distributing money yesterday. He said he was distributing letters, what was the compulsion of the BJP state chief to go and distribute letters? They are trying to lie...By distributing money and liqueur, are they doing vote jihad?" he said.

Voting in Maharashtra also began at 7 a.m. on Wednesday and will conclude at 6 p.m. Polling is taking place across 288 assembly constituencies.

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. The BSP is contesting 237 seats, while other smaller parties are also in the fray.

The state has approximately 9.7 crore registered voters.

Earlier today, Gadkari took to social media X and appealed to the people of Jharkhand to vote in large numbers and end the reign of corruption and scams.

"Voting is being held today for the second and final phase of assembly elections in Jharkhand. I appeal to the people of Jharkhand to vote in large numbers to end the reign of corruption and scams and elect a government dedicated to the welfare of tribal society, farmers, the poor and the youth. Your one valuable vote will create a golden future for Jharkhand," the post read.

Voting for the second phase of Jharkhand assembly elections commenced on 7 a.m. on Wednesday covering the remaining 38 seats.

Earlier, mock polling was conducted in Jamtara, Deoghar and several booths around 5 pm.

The first phase of voting took place on November 13 for 43 of the 81 assembly seats.

The elections see a fierce contest between the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Congress alliance, seeking to retain power, and the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, aiming to unseat the Hemant Soren-led government.

The BJP-led coalition is targeting key constituencies, with prominent candidates such as former Chief Minister Champai Soren and Congress leader Ajoy Kumar in the fray. (ANI)