The Election Commission has directed states to ensure voters face no work barriers on polling day, extending paid leave benefits even to those employed outside their constituencies.
Roads were blocked, vehicular movement slowed to a crawl and police detained several protesters amid heightened tension.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday strongly opposed the Union government's move to introduce the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-GRAMG Bill), which seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
