New Delhi: With the announcement of Lok Sabha election schedule, leaders cutting across political lines on Sunday urged the people to exercise their democratic right in large number.
“The festival of democracy—elections are here. I urge my fellow Indians to enrich the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with their active participation. I hope this election witnesses a historic turnout,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his Twitter handle. He particularly called upon first-time voters to ‘vote in record numbers.’
Former Prime Minister and JDS leader HD Deve Gowda told ANI: “Lok Sabha elections will be held in Karnataka in two phases on April 18 and 23. The finalisation on seat-sharing between the Congress and the JDS is not yet done. But after the notification, I think Rahul Gandhi will finalise within 2-3 days.”
Taking to Twitter, BJP chief Amit Shah urged the people to vote in large numbers. “We welcome the declaration of elections for the 17th Lok Sabha. I call upon the people of India to turn out in record numbers and enhance the vibrancy of India’s electoral process,” said Shah.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also asked the people to vote for the stable and strong government while acknowledging the announcement of poll dates and called it ‘Maha Kumbh’ of democracy.
“Maha Kumbh’ of democracy starts with the announcement of poll dates by the Election Commission of India. Uttar Pradesh and India will vote for a stable and strong government by actively participating in the greatest festival of democracy to further accelerate the development journey that began under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014,” he wrote on his Twitter account.
Chief Minister of Odisha and president of Biju Janata Dal Naveen Patnaik also welcomed the announcement of LS poll dates and wrote, “I welcome Election Commission of India’s announcement for elections to #Odisha Assembly and Lok Sabha to be held on 11, 18, 23 and 29 April. Pleased to pledge wholehearted support for the electoral process that is the foundation of our democracy.”
Samajwadi Party chief and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav urged the electorates to vote for hope and unity and wrote, “The first law of democracy: What goes up, must come down. Those who forget this do so at their peril. As we celebrate our democracy let us vote for hope and unity. We promise to work for the poor and our farmers and empower our youth and women.”
Yadav’s alliance partner and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati also expressed similar sentiments and wrote: “ECI declaring 7-phase schedule for General Elections to elect 17th Lok Sabha in the country is a welcome move. Crores of poor, labourers, farmers, women, youth etc participate in strength in polling. Respecting them, free, fair and peaceful polling is of utmost necessity.”
Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: “Ultimately back to We the people-the real power of our democracy. Time to throw out the most dictatorial and anti-federal government in the history of India. Time to seek answers on demonetisation, jobs, destruction of traders n destroying brotherhood amongst different communities.”
Shiv Sena leader and Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray also called it the biggest festival of democracy and said that this is an opportunity for all to choose the government and the choice.
“The biggest democracy has just declared its biggest festival dates! A festival where we choose our voice, our government! As we, political parties, seek your blessings and votes, we also will put forth the work we’ve done, and the work we are about to do,” he wrote on Twitter.
Home Minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh also urged the people of India to participate in the festival of electing a government and wrote, “The poll bugle has been sounded for the 17th General Elections. The nation is ready to celebrate the festival of democracy. I urge the people of India to participate in this festival by electing a government which will transform India into a ‘New India.’”
The General Elections will be held in seven phases beginning from April 11, and will conclude on May 19. Apart from this, assembly elections will simultaneously be held in Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Odisha.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]