'Diggi Raja' misleading first-time voters by not voting, claims PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for not casting his vote, stating that the Congress leader is setting an unhealthy precedent for young voters.

"The country is electing its representatives, even I went to Ahmedabad to cast my vote. President and Vice President of the country were standing in queues to cast their votes. But Diggi Raja didn't feel the need to cast his vote," he said while addressing an election rally here on Monday.

"First-time voters are closely watching all the leaders on their mobile phones. You (Digvijaya) are teaching them not to vote, even though first-time voters want to cast votes in the name of the development of the nation. You are teaching them that it's not necessary to vote," he added.

Digvijaya, a registered voter in Raghogarh, was unable to cast his vote on Sunday during the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls, a move which he is facing widespread criticism for.

Yesterday, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Digvijaya's decision not to vote shows his attitude towards democracy.

"Diggy Raja (Digvijaya Singh) behaved in a strange manner. He was so panicked that he did not go to cast his vote. Voting is our supreme duty in a democracy. For a person, who was Chief Minister for 10 years, failing to poll his votes shows his attitude towards democracy," Chouhan said while addressing a gathering at Indore.

Rajgarh and Bhopal Lok Sabha seats went to polls on May 12 during the sixth phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Digvijaya is contesting the ongoing polls against BJP's Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur from Bhopal.

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