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PM urges celebs to encourage people to come out and vote

New Delhi: Describing voting as a "prime" duty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged personalities, including Pranab Mukherjee, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Ratan Tata and P V Sindhu, to encourage people to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections beginning April 11.

In a series of tweets and a blog post, he said voting is among a citizen's prime duties.

"A vote signifies the willingness to contribute to the development trajectory of the nation. By voting, people connect themselves with the country's dreams and aspirations," he wrote.

He tagged personalities from a cross-section of society, including politics, industry, media, films, sports and social work, to drive home his point.

"I appeal to @RahulGandhi, @MamataOfficial, @PawarSpeaks, @Mayawati, @yadavakhilesh, @yadavtejashwi and @mkstalin to encourage increased voter participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. A high turnout augurs well for our democratic fabric," Modi wrote on his personal Twitter handle. In another tweet, he urged film personalities such as Mohan Lal and Nagarjuna Akkineni to create greater voter awareness. "Your performances have entertained millions over the years and you have also won many awards. I request you to create greater voter awareness and urge people to vote in large numbers," he said. The prime minister said not voting should create "anguish" amongst people who do not turn up at polling stations.

"Would you want a situation where something happens in the country that you disapprove of and you are forced to think - because I did not go vote that day, this unfortunate situation has arisen and the nation is suffering," he wrote on his blog on Wednesday.

He also shared a link where people can register as voters.

The 2019 elections, Modi said, are special because for the first time those born in the 21st century will be able to cast their votes.

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