Haryana Elections 2024: As voting took place across all 90 assembly seats in Haryana on Saturday, BJP candidate from Julana, Captain Yogesh Bairagi, raised serious allegations of booth capturing at a polling station in Akalgarh. The claim surfaced on the day of the critical state elections, which also saw an intense face-off between Bairagi and Congress leader and Olympian Vinesh Phogat.Bairagi accuses miscreants of booth capturingCaptain Yogesh Bairagi, a 35-year-old former army officer and ex-commercial pilot, told the media that he received a call in the morning about suspicious activities at a polling station in Julana. According to him, a group of miscreants was allegedly forcing voters to cast their ballots for a specific candidate.I received a call in the morning about some miscreants forcing people to vote for their candidate. I quickly reached the polling station in Akalgarh to assess the situation, Bairagi said in a media interaction.Tensions rise at the polling boothA video posted on X (formerly Twitter) shows Bairagi being heckled and pushed by people at the Akalgarh polling booth. The video captured a chaotic scene, with security personnel present and some individuals reportedly asking the BJP candidate to leave the premises.Meanwhile, reports from the ground suggested that some voters accused BJP members of attempting to capture the booth. Amid mounting tensions and protests, Bairagi left the polling station.महम के बाद पेश हैजुलाना से प्रत्याशी योगेश बैरागी की कुटाई😂(आज wwe ते भी घणा स्वाद आवेगा)#HaryanaAssemblyElection2024 pic.twitter.com/xaTLXZAapq— हरयाणवी लांगड (@Haryanvilangd) October 5, 2024Police deny allegationsIn response to the allegations, the local police issued a statement dismissing the claims of booth capturing. According to police officials, the reports were found to be false after a thorough investigation.Julana is witnessing a high-profile contestCaptain Bairagi is representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Julana Assembly constituency, where he faces a tough battle against Congress leader Vinesh Phogat, a renowned Olympian. The constituency has seen heightened political activity and intense competition as the election unfolds.Strong turnout in early votingAs of the first four hours of polling, over 22% voter turnout was recorded across the state. Several prominent figures cast their votes early in the day, including Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker. Congress leaders Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja, and Randeep Singh Surjewala also participated in the early hours of voting.
