PM Modi tweets to Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, asks them to encourage voter participation

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to politicians from various political parties to encourage increased voter participation and urged them to inspire more people to come out and vote during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

"I appeal to Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and MK Stalin to encourage increased voter participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. A high turnout augurs well for our democratic fabric," Prime Minister Modi wrote in a series of posts on Twitter.

He then went on to call upon Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to "work towards bringing maximum Indians to the polling booths in the upcoming elections. May voter awareness efforts be strengthened across the length and breadth of India."

"Dear Nitish Kumar, Ram Vilas Paswan, and Pawan Chamling soliciting your support and active participation in improving voting across the country in the coming elections. Let us strive to



create an atmosphere where maximum voting can take place," he tweeted.

He said that increasing awareness among the youth on the importance of voting is a "paramount task."

Prime Minister Modi also reached out to members of the film fraternity, sportspersons, businessmen, spiritual leaders and members of the media to help enhance voter turnout.

Besides them, he also appealed to RSS, NCC, NSS and Nehru Yuva Kendra to "help increase voter awareness and tap the power of society for democracy."

He wrote, "Dear Ratan Tata, Anand Mahindra, and Ashish Chauhan, India wins when our democracy gets strengthened. Ensuring maximum participation in voting is the perfect way to strengthen democracy. Can we all make this happen?"

He added, "My fellow Indians, urging you all to strengthen voter awareness efforts across India. Let us all ensure that maximum number of Indians come out to vote in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections."

Seven-phased elections in the country will begin on April 11 and will culminate on May 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.