General elections phase 2 voting: HD Kumaraswamy said elections crucial for protecting the farmers.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said the Congress-JD(S) alliance is expected to win 10-12 seats out of 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka where polling is taking place today during the second phase of general elections.
"Today I request all the voters to go to the polling station and vote, whatever decision you will take will form the future of the country. Please put your valuable vote and don't miss it," Mr Kumaraswamy said after voting on Thursday.
"Elections are crucial for protecting the interest of the farming community. Of the 14 Lok Sabha seats, the JDS-Congress candidates may achieve 10-12 seats in this election," he added.
"Dynasty politics isn't an important issue now, country's problems are the main issue. Only because of dynasty politics and regional politics, this country developed in several states. We are not bothered about criticism from the BJP."
DMK Chief MK Stalin, who voted at a polling booth at SIET College in Teynampet, Chennai, alleged that the Election Commission is in connivance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, adding that the Election Commission would be reformed if the Opposition is voted to power.
"This year election has been full of Rs 500, 1000, 2000 and 10,000 currency notes. All attempts have been made to buy votes but in spite all this I have full faith in voters of Tamil Nadu who will exercise their democratic rights fairly," said MK Stalin.
"Regarding the election issues, I can only request the Election Commission but unfortunately the Election Commission itself has become a party to the Modi-led government. People know this, therefore, we will thrive to reform the Election Commission once voted to power," he added.
DMK Lok Sabha candidate from Thoothukudi, Kanimozhi, voted at a polling station in Chennai's Alwarpet. "People in the opposition have been harassed, raids targeted at opposition candidates. BJP has completely taken over AIADMK," she said after voting.
Wheelchair user DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan voted at a polling station in Mylapore in Chennai South Parliamentary constituency.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh voted at a polling booth in Imphal. BJP candidate for Sivaganga constituency H Raja voted at a polling station in Karaikudi, Sivaganga.
In Karnataka, RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale voted at polling station number 45 in Seshadripuram at Bengaluru, while Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and his wife Kannika Parameshwari voted at a polling booth in Koratagere, Tumkur.
PWD minister HD Revanna offered prayers at a temple in Paduvalahippe village in Hassan before voting. His son Prajwal Revanna is contesting from Hassan.
Independent candidate from Bengaluru Central Prakash Raj voted in Bengaluru. Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy also voted.
Polling is being held in Lok Sabha constituencies of Assam (5), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (3), Jammu and Kashmir (2), Karnataka (14), Maharashtra (10), Manipur (1), Odisha (5), Tamil Nadu (38), Uttar Pradesh (8), Bengal (3), and a single parliamentary seat of Puducherry.