Dedicate Your First Vote To Armed Forces, Modi Tells Young Voters

After CPI(M) files complaint on speech, EC asks for report

- Alok Deshpande

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked first-time voters to dedicate their vote to “the Air Force which carried out the air strikes at Balakot, to those jawans who were martyred in Pulwama.” Following a complaint from the CPIM) that the speech violated its directive to parties to refrain from invoking the armed forces for seeking votes, the Election Commission has sought a report from the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer.

“The Commission has taken cognisance of the complaints and sought a report from the Maharashtra CEO,” said an official.

In an emotional appeal at a rally at Ausa near Latur, Mr. Modi urged young voters to dedicate their first vote to the country, society and the armed forces. “Dedicate your first vote to the Air Force which carried out the air strikes at Balakot, to those jawans who were martyred in Pulwama.”

“Your first vote should be to build pukka house for poor, to bring water to farms. Your first vote should be for the country and society that has given us a lot,” Mr. Modi told the youth at the rally.