'Our responsibility towards future of country': BJP MP Smriti Irani appeal to people to cast their vote

As the voting got underway for the fifth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, BJP MP and candidate from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, Smriti Irani, cast her vote and appealed to the people to exercise their franchise.

"Today it is my good fortune that I have cast my vote in my village, Gauriganj, with the resolve of a Viksit Bharat. I appeal to the people to cast their vote. It is our responsibility towards the future of our country," Irani told ANI after casting her vote.

Earlier, the Union Minister appealed to the voters of Amethi to come out in large numbers and support her party

"Your every vote will give new direction to the development of Amethi and provide new momentum to the work being carried out for the service of the people of Amethi. Be sure to exercise your right to vote for strong law and order at the local level, prosperity and progress of the area," the Union Minister said in a post on X.

Smriti Irani who defeated former Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in 2019 is up against Gandhi family loyalist KL Sharma. Rahul Gandhi is contesting the election from Rae Bareli and Wayanad.

Congress leader and candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, Kishori Lal Sharma, said that the BJP should talk about issues such as inflation and unemployment, adding that people will vote according to what is on their minds.

Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, "Whatever is in the minds of the people, they will vote according to it. When people start fighting, you cannot mislead them by making false promises. They need to talk about inflation, unemployment, and infrastructure. We have fought the election positively. The other day, Rahul Gandhi assured me of a result similar to that of Raebareli, and that gave me confidence."

The Amethi seat comprises five assembly segments, including Tiloi, Salon, Jagdishpur, Gauriganj, and Amethi. The constituency is a general seat. The voting started at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm, with those in line by the closing time still allowed to vote.

Voting across 49 parliamentary constituencies spread over six states and two Union Territories (UTs) amid tight security and arrangements began on Monday morning.

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.

The results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4.