Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to first-time voters: Dedicate vote for ‘air strike’ men
Poll panel had advised candidates against using pictures of army personnel in campaigning
Ausa, Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday appeared treading on sensitive ground, as he asked first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the air strike in Balakot.
“Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike,” Modi said, appealing to first-time voters at a poll rally here in Latur district of Maharashtra.
“I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Pakistan).
“Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed [brave martyrs] of Pulwama [terror attack],” Modi said.
The PM said the first-time voters should remember that their first vote is something which they will remember for the rest of their lives. “You will always remember to whom did you vote and in which election,” Modi said.
“Can your first vote be dedicated to [the cause of] providing pucca houses to the poor. Should not your first vote go for providing water in farms of farmers,” he said.
“Should not you vote for ‘healthcare for all’ and the Ayushman Bharat scheme,” Modi said.
The Election Commission had issued an advisory on March 19, asking parties and their candidates against using pictures of defence force personnel in their campaign material.