Lok Sabha polls: Chhattisgarh CM urges voters to come out in large numbers in second phase

"I appeal to all the voters to use your valuable vote to strengthen democracy and participate enthusiastically in this great festival of democracy," he said.

Chattisgar's Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund and Kanker constituencies will vote in the second phase of the elections.

Voting begins at 7:00 am and will go until 6:00 PM.

Rajnandgaon is considered a high-profile constituency where there is a contest between Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel also known as "Kaka" and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Santosh Pandey.

BJP has fielded Roop Kumari Chaudhary from the Mahasamund seat while the Congress has fielded Tamradhwaj Sahu.

From the Kanker constituency, BJP has chosen Bhojraj Nag while Congress has gone with Biresh Thakur.

Recently, a total of 29 Naxals were killed and three security personnel sustained injuries in an encounter that broke out in Chhattisgarh's Kanker, which lies in the Bastar region, officials said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called on people to participate in voting in large numbers and emphasised that every vote counts.

The PM especially encouraged young and female voters to participate in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

"Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your voice!" the PM said in a post on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also appealed to everyone to exercise their right to vote and participate in record numbers for a strong, secure, and prosperous nation.

"Today is the voting day for the second phase of the Lok Sabha Election. I appeal to all of you, who are exercising your right to vote today, to participate in this celebration of democracy with full enthusiasm and cast votes in record numbers for a strong, secure, and prosperous nation," he said in the post on X. (ANI)