Legislative Council Polls: BJP, SP Leaders Trade Charges as Ballot Voting Begins

BJP MLA Nandkishor Gurjar, who was present at a polling booth, described the election as an important test of the electoral process, arguing that voting through ballot papers would provide an opportunity to address the Opposition's allegations concerning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral malpractice.

Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and other Opposition figures, Gurjar alleged that they questioned the electoral process when the BJP won elections but did not raise similar concerns when their own parties secured victories.

He said the ballot-based election would allow voters and political parties to assess the BJP's support beyond the ongoing debate over EVMs. Gurjar also praised the efforts of BJP workers at the grassroots level and expressed confidence in the party's leadership.

The BJP MLA further argued that allegations of vote manipulation and electoral malpractice undermined the mandate of voters. He described the election as a significant moment in the country's electoral process.

Meanwhile, in Varanasi, Samajwadi Party MLA Ragini Sonkar appealed to voters to ensure a decisive victory for her party's candidates.

Sonkar accused the BJP of fostering an atmosphere of intimidation, particularly in the education sector. She alleged that the ruling party's policies were affecting educational opportunities for children and contributing to employment challenges faced by young people.

Calling on voters to support the SP, she presented the election as an opportunity to express dissatisfaction with the BJP government's policies and performance.

Polling is being held for Legislative Council seats across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka and Maharashtra. In Uttar Pradesh, voting is taking place in five graduate and six teacher constituencies. Bihar is conducting elections in four graduate and four teacher constituencies.

The elections have drawn attention amid competing claims by the BJP and Opposition parties over electoral integrity, governance and the issues affecting students, teachers and graduates.