Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after casting his vote in the 15th Vice Presidential election on Tuesday, left for Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to review the damage caused by floods and landslides in the two states.
Sharing an update on X, PM Modi wrote, “Leaving for Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to review the situation in the wake of floods and landslides. The Government of India stands shoulder to shoulder with those affected in this tragic hour.”
Himachal Pradesh has been hit by repeated landslides and cloudbursts, severely damaging infrastructure, while Punjab is reeling under heavy monsoon flooding.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi became the first voter in the Vice Presidential election, where NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan is contesting against joint opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy. Counting of votes is scheduled for the evening.
The election comes 50 days after former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned citing health reasons. With the NDA holding numerical advantage, Radhakrishnan is expected to secure a majority of votes, while the INDIA bloc is backing Reddy.
Meanwhile, BJD has opted to abstain, BRS has stayed away from the polls, and SAD has announced a boycott citing Punjab’s ongoing flood crisis and the lack of central and state assistance.