BJP leader Sirsa requests EC to ensure holiday on voting day in Delhi's nearby cities

BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa has requested the Election Commission to ensure at least half-day holiday on February 5 in Delhi's nearby cities where a large number of residents are working.

"Lakhs of people are forced to work in Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. Now, with no holiday on voting day (February 5), they are being denied their right to vote!" Sirsa posted on X.

He alleged that these professionals were forced to work in nearby cities owing to the AAP government's failure to create jobs and infrastructure in Delhi.

The BJP leader requested the poll body to take notice of his request and ensure at least half-day holiday so that every Delhi voter gets a fair chance to participate in the electoral process.

Notably, the Delhi Government has declared a public holiday on February 5, the day of voting for the Assembly elections in the national capital. The holiday will apply to all government and private sector offices across the city.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Government has declared a paid holiday on February 5 in view of the polls. The move is aimed at ensuring people's participation in the electoral exercise in large numbers. The state government said workers of factories, shops and private establishments in Haryana are eligible for paid leave to cast their vote.

Sirsa is contesting the Assembly election from Rajouri Garden constituency on BJP's ticket. AAP has nominated incumbent MLA Dhanwati Chandela and Dharampal Chandela will contest for the Congress.

The high-octane Delhi election campaign came to a close on Monday as parties fielded top guns for the last-minute push.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrapped up the campaign for the saffron party, taking on former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in Jangpura segment. Shah claimed Delhi had lagged in the development race because AAP chose to stay in constant conflict with the Centre.

On the last day of the campaign, Congress’ Rahul Gandhi held a roadshow in favour of party candidate Alka Lamba who is taking on Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and BJP’s heavyweight ex-MP Ramesh Bidhuri in Kalkaji.

Overall, the campaign was dotted with rigorous rallies, strategic social media campaigns powered by AI and acerbic debates, especially around the quality of Yamuna waters after Kejriwal accused BJP-led Haryana of “poisoning Yamuna waters where it enters Delhi”. The EC intervened in the matter and asked Kejriwal to substantiate the charges.