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Indian PM Modi urges celebrities to 'inspire' voters in 29-tweet pre-election blitz
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an early-morning Twitter blitz on Wednesday calling directly on Bollywood and sports stars and others to urge Indians to vote in the country's upcoming mammoth elections.
In 29 rapid-fire tweets, Modi tagged cricketers Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Bollywood actors Ranveer Singh and Vicky Kaushal, asking them to inspire others to exercise their franchise in the world's largest democracy.
“Dear @msdhoni, @imVkohli and @ImRo45. You are always setting outstanding records on the cricketing field but this time, do inspire the (1.3 billion) people of India to set a new record of high voter turnout in the upcoming elections,” one message ran. “When this happens, democracy will be the winner!”
Modi, 68, swept his right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party to power in 2014, forming the country's first majority government in almost three decades.
But despite remaining popular, he faces a challenge to repeat the feat when India's 900 million voters cast ballots between April 11 and May 19.
Also read: Jobless millions to haunt India election
The opposition says Modi's flagship policies have failed to produce promised jobs, while thousands of debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide in recent years.
His party, however, seems to have gained ground after India launched air strikes on Pakistan last month in response to a suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian troops in Kashmir.
Modi, who has a massive 46.3 million followers on Twitter, also reached out to his political rivals, including Rahul Gandhi who heads the centre-left Congress party.
“A high turnout augurs well for our democratic fabric,” he said in his tweet marked to Gandhi.
In his tweet to Bollywood stars Singh and Kaushal, Modi picked dialogues from their hit movies “Gully Boy” and “Uri: The Surgical Strike” and said they could motivate youngsters to use their voting right.
“It is time to tell them (youngsters): Apna Time Aa Gaya Hai (our time has come) and that it is time to turn up with high Josh (fervour) to a voting centre near you.”
Results from the election are due May 23.
Comments (61) Closed
Good idea....India need to be more democratic !
Those politicians who have done well during their tenure, don't shy away from high voter turn out.
modi only.
also reached out to his political rivals, including Rahul Gandhi who heads the centre-left Congress party"" Does this not indicate that he believes in true democracy .Requesting every one to excercise his or her voting rights. Here he doesn't say vote for my party but say please do excersise your right to vote.
Homemade promotion?
Modi is not fit to lead a secular India.
Love you Modiji
Good PR.
Modi will be next PM that is sure
@M.Jan, Says who? I highly doubt you are Indian voter. Democracy works on majority people opinion.
Each and every blunder made by terrorists and opposition parties makes Modi more strong.... Modi will continue as PM
Perhaps Modi indirectly influencing celebrities and sports icons to use their power on voters to vote for him.
@petere, Democracy is not only about casting a vote. It is about having strong institutions which can safeguard the poor in a democratic setup. Right now India is failing her minorities in a BIG way.
Don't just need a big turn out, need sensible voters who can vote with hosh not josh...
@M.Jan, that’s your opinion and it doesn’t count for us Indians
Excellent move by PM Modi. You are the only hope for development and peace in India & South Asia.
next time he will bring out a Law making it mandatory to vote...it because most of the Indian intelligent middle class does NOT vote that India is in the trouble it is today.
@M.Jan, No one better than him for true secular
Definitely Modi Ji......
India is a very very big and vibrant democracy in the world.
I am not a fan of Modi , but he will win the elections in a landslide and will continue as a Prime Minister.
@M.Jan, it's up to the Indian Voters.
Salute to the greatest leader of the century
Only Modi ji till 2029.
Don’t know how any sane person can vote for Modi! One has to be delusional with no sense of right and wrong to vote for someone as racist and divisive as him.
@Nish, What has Modi done for peace? Any idea?
@Shah,
If this is how democracy is rated, then what type of government do you have?
The man, Narendra Modi spells calm assurance. His integrity and controversy less lifestyle, his total commitment to the country, his brisk, business-like approach to solving the country's problem has made him a household name in Indian politics.
I love to hear stories of little children reprimanding parents about litter and the importance of India clean and hygienic after "Swacch Bharat" initiative brings on a delighted smile on my face.
India is growing at around 7.5 % and though it is the fastest growing economy in the world it is NOT ENOUGH when 1 million job seekers enter the market every month. Manufacturing is undergoing a shift worldwide, with AI and robotics are replacing human labour.
His "Skill India" and " start up and stand up India" initiatives are an attempt to wean India away from depending on the government for jobs.
Narendra Modi, in short, would make an interesting case study in any business school
I hope a fresh batch of reforms by a re-elected Modi takes place
Absolutely modiji. Will all vote for you. By far India's best PM..corrupt congis never again !
Look, who is talking?
wish we have the voting percentage like North Korea one day - 99.99% :-)
@ahmed, why shud he do anything for your peace and aspirations
@Prakash, That shows you understand neither about racism nor divisive rhetoric. COngress has always divided the Hindus along caste lines for their votebank politics. Modi served them their own medicine by dividing the 'minority camp' while uniting the Hindus. Neo-converts are obviously worried as he has squeezed the life out of their evangelizing mafias that have built a massive empire of business interests in the country in the name of NGOs. We know why we voted for him in 2014 and also why we should do it again in 2019.
@M.Jan, says who. People will decide who is good for them.
BJP forever...
@Dilip, Let us start small? An 80% voter turnout for a start? Narendra Modi will sweep if that happens. His approval rating is hovering around 83%?:)
So Modi is not going to buy his votes?
Modi is asking others to do his job. Hope Indians can read b/w the lines. A good leader does not beg for votes. A good leaders shares his vision and then people vote on their own.
@gaurav kumar, IAS, Since when a serving IAS "officer", member of "so-called" elite service became Hindutva's supporter and mouthpiece? Does not this tell the outsiders where India is going?
@Shah, Democracy is not only about casting a vote. It is about having strong institutions which can safeguard the poor in a democratic setup. Right now India is failing her minorities in a BIG way.
That is a perspective/ perception of yours, sir.:):)
India is NOT failing minorities. India is concentrating on growth for ALL. If India prospers ALL Indians prosper and that is the brief the government has set for itself.:)
"It is easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled." Mark Twain.
The above quote sums up the Indian population mindset.
Election result is very much clear to public without any doubt. Even the result of 2024 election is also known. There is no chance for anyone else to become PM.
@jaredlee007, you really have no idea about democracy / election / voting....
@haider shaikh, “Perhaps Modi indirectly influencing celebrities and sports icons to use their power on voters to vote for him.” Not at all. He is just asking he celebrities to exercise their vote. He is not asking them to endorse him. Even the celebrity tweets I have seen from Aalia Bhatt to Anushka Sharma to Karan Johar to Akshay Kumar to Amir Khan are just ask people to vote.
@M.Jan, let the people decide of India, who deserve to led the nation.
@Alok Dalmia, Greatest criminal you mean
Another Masterstroke from a legend...
@jaredlee007, 100% agreed
@Pakistani, Could be. But what is wrong in it
@M.Jan, that’s what he is saying let the majority people decide and that is possible only if voting is increased.
now he is looking at bollywood for support. This man is a crook
@Indian, of course you will u support the same fascist mentality
@pvn, are you a fortune teller?
@Nish, the last 5 years showed his true colors how peaceful he is by treatment of Muslims
@Alok Dalmia, greatest for RSS supporters only
@ROHIT PANDEY, Really?? how much you were paid
@ROHIT PANDEY, truth hurts
@ahmed, check why did he get Seoul peace prize and you will get your answer.
@ahmed,
He gave more territory to Bangladesh during enclave swap for peaceful borders.
@Prakash,
You must be RaGa or Mahathugbandhan fan :). You need to avoid voting.
Modi for another term.