Modi casts his vote for ‘right to reject’

He was speaking on the topic of “how government and business can change to provide better opportunities for the Indian youth”.

Modi said candidates who got a certain percentage of “right to reject” votes should not be deemed elected.

The CM spent the entire day interacting with youths and experts from banking,consultancy and academics.

Talking about the electoral reforms undertaken by his government,he said,“We have already brought in the provision of compulsory voting in local body polls. We want to include the right to reject provision. But unfortunately,the same has not been cleared by the Governor.”

The conclave was organised by a little-known group called Citizens for Accountable Governance (CAG).

Though the day-long event was not open to the public and the media,it was webcast on the chief minister’s personal blog. “This event seems to be first child of netizens. This is perhaps the first such experiment where youngsters linked up through social media and organised an event. I thank them for this. I like their team spirit,” Modi said while praising the organisers,who had managed to invite well-known faces like former president APJ Abdul Kalam,HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh,president of Zakat Foundation Syed Zafar Mehmood and others.

At the beginning of an hour-long interactive session with the participants,Modi seemed keen to listen to the views and suggestions of the young participants. “It would be great if you talk your mind. We must try and understand others. I want to understand this young generation,” he said.

The delegates quizzed the CM and made suggestions on a number of issues.

One Wahid Rehman from Jammu & Kashmir had a unique suggestion for Modi. “Muslims in Kashmir expect a lot from you. Please help people of Kashmir get jobs. We can open the doors to you. This way you can also come near to the Muslims in rest of India.”

Modi asked the participants to connect with him directly through the social media. “I am very active on social media. Please post directly to me. Your suggestions will reach me,” he said before concluding the interaction and the event.