Lok Sabha elections 2024: The Congress today (April 14) announced 10 more Lok Sabha candidates in Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. Congress fielded Kanhaiya Kumar from North East Delhi, Charanjit Singh Channi from Jalandhar in fresh list of candidates.
The party has fielded veteran leader JP Agarwal from Chandni Chowk, former JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar from North East Delhi, and Udit Raj from North West Delhi (reserved for SC).
Kanhaiya Kumar to contest from North East Delhi (against BJP North East Delhi candidate Manoj Tiwari), JP Agarwal to contest from Chandni Chowk (against BJP candidate from Chandni Chowk, Praveen Khandelwal), Udit Raj to contest from North-West Delhi (Yogendra Chandolia).
In Punjab, Gurjeet Singh Aujla will contest from Amritsar against BJP candidate and former envoy to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has been fielded from Jalandhar (reserved for SC), former AAP leader Dr Dharamvir Gandhi from Patiala against sitting MP and former Union Minister Preneet Kaur, who has shifted to the BJP, and sitting MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira from Sangrur.
Ujjwal Rewati Raman Singh, the son of veteran SP leader Rewati Raman Singh, has been fielded from UP's prestigious Allahabad seat. He had joined the Congress earlier this month.
Delhi CEO declares paid holiday on voting day
The Chief Electoral Office of Delhi has announced a paid holiday in the national capital on the day of Lok Sabha polls on May 25. According to the order, all eligible employees- public or private- who are voters in Delhi are entitled to a paid holiday to exercise their democratic right to vote on the polling day.
Voters from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan working in Delhi are also entitled to the paid holiday, it said.
"Taking a crucial 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 poll in NCT of Delhi under Section 135B of the RP Act 1951," the statement said.
"Besides, voters of neighbouring cities Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan working in Delhi are also to 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," it said.
By granting a paid holiday, the CEO of Delhi, under the guidance of the ECI, aims to facilitate unhindered participation and spread voter awareness among the residents of Delhi, it added.
"Further, employers of concerned public, private or any other establishments are urged to comply with this order and ensure that their employees have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process without any hindrance.
"It is to state that non-compliance to this order amounts to a fine as well as punishment under the provisions specified," the statement said.
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