New Delhi, Mar 13(UNI) Amid battle lines drawn and gloves off for the ensuing polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday played up the spirit of his pet slogan 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' and sought cooperation of detractors like Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee to come out and campaign for higher turnout of voters.
In a series of tweets tagged to Mr Gandhi, Ms Banerjee and also the likes of former President Pranab Mukherjee and celebrities including Aamir Khan and other bigwigs from their respective fields, the Prime Minister urged all to campaign to make people come out and exercise their franchise in large numbers.
'I appeal to Rahul Gandhi, Mamata, Sharad Pawar, Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and M K Stalin to encourage increased voter participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls," Mr Modi tweeted.
Interestingly even hours after Mr Modi's tweet while there were no personal missives from either Mr Gandhi or Ms Banerjee; the Congress party's official Twitter handle said Prime Minister's tweet came "on the same day" Mr Gandhi was slated to address young voters in Stella Maris Women's College in Chennai.
"Modi takes time out of his busy campaigning schedule to make an appeal to young voters on the same day @RahulGandhi is speaking at a college in TN - Coincidence? We think not. To the people of India, we've said it before and we say it again #RegisterToVote," the INC India tweet said.Earlier in the day, Mr Modi said, '..... requests for a stronger democracy. An appeal to the voters of India, especially my young friends.'
Saying that a high turnout augurs well for the democratic fabric, in a series of tweets, Mr Modi requested Pranab Mukherjee to appeal to people to come out and vote in large number.
'Being among India's most prolific statesmen and someone who has been active in politics for decades, you would understand the power of a vote. I request you to appeal to the people to enrich the festival of democracy by participating in large numbers,' he tweeted.
In another tweet addressed to Chief Ministers of Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland, the Prime Minister said, ' I request you to work towards increasing vote awareness in the Northeast.'
'A vote is a powerful way for people to express and become active participants in India's growth trajectory,' Mr Modi said.
In another tag, he urged mega star Amitabh Bachchan and other film stars including Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, he said they should 'creatively ensure high voter awareness and participation in the coming elections".
Mr Modi also urged sportspersons like freestyle wrestler sisters Geeta and Babita Phogat to campaign for 'chunavi dangal' and tweeted : 'We've seen you in the wrestling world. I urge you all to support the movement to ensure greater voter participation in the Chunavi Dangal.'
He called upon Telangana CM KCR, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, '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.'
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