"Will fight to address regional issues": Congress leader JP Aggarwal on his candidature from Chandni Chowk LS seat

Expressing happiness over his candidature, JP Aggarwal said, "I thank the Congress high command for believing in me and giving me a chance to serve the people of my constituency."

"To contest elections, one needs to have issues and plans. The major issue for traders in the region is GST. We will take up issues such as unemployment and inflation. I will be alert about the regional issues and fight for them," the Congress leader added.

Earlier on Sunday, the Congress announced its candidates for three Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi, where it is contesting in alliance with AAP, fielding Kanhaiya Kumar from the North East Delhi seat and Udit Raj from North West Delhi.

The party also named JP Agarwal as its candidate for the Chandni Chowk seat.

Meanwhile, in a step towards enhancing voter turnout and participation in the electoral process, the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, P Krishnamurthy, announced the implementation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) Order which grants paid holiday to employees on the day of polling in the NCT of Delhi under Section 135B of the RP Act 1951.

The polling day in the NCT of Delhi is scheduled for May 25.

As per the order, all eligible employees, be they public or private, who are voters in the NCT of Delhi are entitled to a paid holiday to exercise their democratic right to vote on the polling day.

Besides, it is to state that voters of neighbouring cities Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan working in Delhi will also be given a paid holiday on the day of voting and vice versa for voters of Delhi working in neighbouring cities as per their polling dates, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer informed through a press release.

This initiative underscores the importance of voter turnout and the fundamental role of every citizen in bolstering the electoral process, the release stated.

Further, employers of concerned public, private or other establishments have been urged to comply with this order and ensure that their employees have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process without any hindrance, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer stated.

"It is to state that non-compliance to this order amounts to a fine as well as punishment under the provisions specified," the release stated, adding, "The CEO of Delhi appeals to the youth and young voters in the NCT of Delhi to utilise this opportunity and cast their vote on polling day."

The Lok Sabha polls in India are scheduled to take place from April 19, 2024, to June 1, 2024, to choose the 543 representatives for the 18th Lok Sabha.

These elections will be conducted in seven phases. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)