Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday began his two-day visit to Uttarakhand, a day before the last phase of elections. He also visited Kedarnath and offered prayer at the shrine. He is also slated to visit Badrinath shrine during his two-day before returning to the national capital in the afternoon tomorrow.
PM Narendra Modi also reviewed the development projects in Kedarnath.
#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviews redevelopment projects in Kedarnath. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/cFMH9PqVyC
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath temple. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/uIm1TGLMEK
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2019
The Poll Commission has given the permission to PM Modi’s visit while reminding that the model code of conduct is still in force since the last phase of elections is slated for tomorrow. A Poll Official said that the ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit is official so it can be undertaken’. But the PMO has been reminded about the model code of conduct.
The administration has tightened the security keeping in view of PM Modi’s arrival in hilltop Shrine.
However, this is not the first time PM Modi is visiting the Kedarnath. PM Modi had in 2017 visited the Himalayan shrine, dedicated to Shiva. He visited the temple twice, once in May after its gate had opened following a six-month winter break. Later in the same year, PM Modi visited in in October, before the temple again closed for winters.
The prime minister’s visit to the shrine comes a day before the last phase of elections. General Elections 2019 is being held across seven phases starting April 11 to May 19. Counting of the votes will be held on May 23. Voting of the remaining 59 constituencies will be held in last and seventh phase of polling slated for May 19.