Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [Inida], May 20 (ANI): Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi temple priest Mahant Raju Das cast his vote on Monday in Ayodhya and said that for the upliftment, development and establishment of India on the global stage, everyone should have to come out of their homes and exercise their right to vote.
"I have cast my vote. I appeal to everyone to come out of their homes and exercise their right to vote. Vote for the upliftment of India, for India's development, and for establishing India on the global stage. Strengthen PM Modi's hand. This time more than 400 seats, and once again, PM Modi," Das said.
Addressing those who oppose Sanatan Dharma, he remarked, "I have nothing to say to those who are against Sanatan Dharma. They are finished; they have no vision or mission. Those who say that Sanatan is like Corona, Dengue, or Malaria are neither for Ram nor for my work."
Earlier, sitting MP from Ayodhya and BJP candidate from the constituency, Lallu Singh, expressed confidence in the BJP's victory on Monday after casting his vote and said that the people are voting for 'Viksit Bharat' and to make Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister for the third time.
"People are voting for Viksit Bharat, Viksit Ayodhya, and to make PM Modi the Prime Minister for the third time. The work on the development of Ayodhya has just started. Ayodhya will become the most beautiful place in the world," Singh told ANI.
He further said that after India's independence, PM Modi is the only person who has thought about the welfare of the common man.
"After so many years of independence, PM Modi is the only person who has thought about the welfare of the common man. Modi ji has received immense love from the people," the BJP leader said.
Voting across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements began on Monday morning.
The voting started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote. The fifth phase will witness key contests in various constituencies. Leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Piyush Goyal, Ujjwal Nikam, Karan Bhushan Singh, LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan, JKNC chief Omar Abdullah, and RJD leader Rohini Acharya are looking for electoral success.
BJP MP Lallu Singh is pitted against Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party (SP). Apart from Awadhesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party, Sachhidanand Pandey of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is also in the fray from Ayodhya.
The Faizabad/Ayodhya Lok Sabha constituency comprises five Vidhan Sabha or assembly segments: Ayodhya, Bikapur, Milkipur, Rudauli, and Dariyabad (Barabanki).
In a major decision by the Yogi cabinet, a year into his maiden term as chief minister in November 2018, the state government officially renamed the Faizabad district as Ayodhya.BJP's Lallu Singh is eyeing a third term from Ayodhya, with the construction of the Ram Mandir his key campaign plank. The results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4. (ANI)
