BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Wednesday cast his vote, clicked a selfie and criticised the Congress, saying the time is up for the "mother-son" government.
Taking a dig at Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi, Modi said that he can give a first person account and say that this elections will ensure that the Congress will be ousted from power and that a new and strong government will come to power.
"After analysing the election process and the voter's mind until now, I can say that this time nothing can save the 'mother-son' government...a strong government will come to power," he said.
The Gujarat chief minister was seen taking a selfie of his inked finger after casting his ballot and flashed the Bharatiya Janata Party's symbol - the lotus.
"Balloting in such high numbers reflect that this elections will give the country new strength," he said.
Interacting with the media after casting his ballot from the Gandhinagar constituency here, the leader apologised to the people of Gujarat for not being able to devote a lot of time to them, like in the past.
"This time I could hardly give 18 hours in the last two days," he said amid loud cheers from the crowd.
"But I thank the voters for the way they have taken the election process forward even in my absence," he added.
Ahead of casting his vote, Modi urged his "young friends" and all other voters to vote in record numbers.
"Urging all those voting in 89 Lok Sabha seats across India to vote in record numbers today! Hope my young friends show the way in doing so," Modi tweeted.
He wrote that he considers himself "extremely lucky" and "fortunate" to be a voter in senior BJP leader L.K. Advani's constituency, Gandhinagar.
"I request all those voting in 119 Assembly seats in Telangana region & in by-polls in Bihar, Gujarat, UP & WB to turnout in large numbers," he tweeted.
Gujarat chief minister is contesting from Vadodara Lok Sabha seat as well as Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
After casting his vote, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addressed the crowd.
"Today Gujarat is voting. Other states are voting too. Elections are a festival of democracy," he said. "Everyone must join this festival of democracy and strengthen it." He also apologised to people of Gujarat.
"This time I've barely given two days and about 18 hours. But still people took campaign in their hands," he said. "Don't forget Nirbhaya," he said.
"Dont forget unemployed youth. Dont forget farmers committing suicide. Dont forget how our soldiers were beheaded. Congress has accepted defeat the way they're giving statements of aligning with Third Front etc." Ahead of the elections, he had tweeted:
*Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben too cast her vote. BSP leader Mayawati cast her vote too.
Below are some pictures of leaders who voted:
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 "Modi Selfie")
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