Modi invokes 'Ganga-Jamuna culture' of Varanasi in video message

PTI Updated - March 13, 2018 at 10:45 AM.

Modi on the campaign trail, addresses a meeting in Varanasi (file photo).

With polling in Varanasi underway, Narendra Modi today spoke about the ‘ Ganga-Jamuna tehjeeb ’ of the holy city and appealed to the voters there to reflect its spirit of unity and harmony through their votes.

Invoking ‘Maa Ganga’ in his video message, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, who is contesting from Varanasi, said the aim should be to keep the rich tradition of the holy city alive.

“I appeal to people to cast their votes in the last phase of polls with the same zeal and enthusiasm they have shown so far. My brothers and sisters in Kashi, the honour of Kashi is in peace, harmony and unity.

“This is what we call

Ganga-Jamuna tehjeeb . It should also be reflected in polling. We are all one. We should love each other and take everybody along,” he said.

Hailing the “vibrancy” of Indian democracy, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate said the western world should analyse the success of Indian democracy.

“The western world should also analyse Indian democracy, as to the reason why crores of people in this blistering heat are participating with such enthusiasm in the elections,” he said.

He said despite the storm of “negative publicity” during the campaigning, people have shown enough wisdom to “tell right from wrong”.

He said though everyone has their likes and dislikes, they love their county and vote for its future and for the future of the youths.

“...and we should all contribute to make the fortune of this country,” he said.

Modi said the heavy deployment of security forces in large numbers was a good sign for ensuring healthy, clean and peaceful elections in the last phase.

However, he felt the issues in the States which witnessed assembly elections simultaneously, remained confined to their borders.

Published on May 12, 2014 09:30