New Delhi, Apr. 20: A day after the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha election ended with a voter turnout lower than that in 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to step out of their homes and “vote for anyone”.

He even asked the Opposition parties to encourage their supporters to vote. This, he said, was important to secure the future of the country.

Addressing a rally in Maharahtra’s Nanded which will vote in the second phase on April 26, Modi claimed that voters had overwhelmingly voted in favour of the ruling NDA in the first phase.

But he clearly had the turnout in mind. The vote, he said, is “the greatest strength of a democracy (loktantra ki sabse badi takat). Vote for anyone, but do vote… It is true that it is very hot, there are problems, there are weddings. There are some areas where farmers are at work. But look at the soldiers guarding the border in any weather… a similar emotion should be in the minds of the voters. They will not be doing anyone a favour by casting their vote. With their vote, they will secure the future of the country”.

He even called upon workers of Opposition parties to enthuse their voters. “If not today, tomorrow or the day after, you (Opposition) will also get a chance… That’s why I want to tell the workers of those (parties) whose defeat is certain… enthuse voters to vote. The next 25 years will prove India’s greatness for which the voting percentage should increase,” he said.-Agencies