The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Karnataka): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, alongside his son Priyank Kharge, participated in the electoral process by casting their votes at Gundugurthi village in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, during the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Post-voting, Kharge remarked optimistically about the Congress party’s prospects, stating that both the business community and the economically disadvantaged are poised to support Congress, reflecting a shift in public sentiment from previous elections.
Kharge expressed that many voters now regret their previous electoral decisions and are ready to back the Congress with a significant majority. His son-in-law, Radhakrishna Doddamani, is contesting against BJP’s Dr. Umesh Jadhav for the Kalaburagi seat.
Following his vote, Priyank Kharge shared his confidence in the Congress’s success, criticizing the last decade under Prime Minister Modi as detrimental for both India and specifically Kalaburagi. He highlighted the local disappointment with the current administration and predicted a strong voter turnout for progress.
Early voting data shows varying turnout rates across states, with West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh leading, while Maharashtra shows the lowest early voter turnout. The third phase of voting encompasses a wide array of candidates and significant electoral stakes, involving over 17.24 crore eligible voters across 1.85 lakh polling stations. This phase includes prominent politicians such as Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Digvijaya Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and others.
With the BJP having secured 72 out of the 93 seats in these regions during the 2019 elections, this current phase is critical for all parties involved. The Lok Sabha elections continue through seven phases, concluding on June 1, with the results to be announced on June 4.
