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Followgiri: Narendra Modi charms Kejriwal on Twitter

Prime Minister uses the spring festival of colours, considered an annual occasion to forget rancour and rivalries, to “follow” Delhi chief minister--a 21st Century cyber hug visible to all.

Updated on: Mar 25, 2016, 20:01:17 IST
Hindustan Times | By , New Delhi
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They are not exactly embracing each other but turning an unholy political relationship into a Holi communion of sorts--pun intended.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the top Indian politician on Twitter, with 18.8 million followers. (Mohd Zakir/ HT photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the top Indian politician on Twitter, with 18.8 million followers. (Mohd Zakir/ HT photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the spring festival of colours, considered an annual occasion to forget rancour and rivalries, to “follow” Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Twitter--a 21st Century cyber hug visible to all.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader, who usually takes to the microblogging site to rave and rant against the BJP-ruled central government returned the honour.

“Sir, thank u for following me. Happy Holi. Aaj giley shikwey bhoolney ka din hai (Today is the day to forget grudges and complaints) Hope better Centre-Delhi cooperation in future,” Kejriwal tweeted to Modi.

With 7.29 million followers already, Kejriwal is not exactly multiplying his follower count, but the spring festival warmth was just right to thaw the cold relationship between the two leaders, at loggerheads on everything except a common dislike for the Congress.

Modi also used the occasion to start following Rahul Gandhi’s official Twitter, account, (@officeofRG), besides Congress leaders including Milind Deora and Jyotiraditya Scindia and communist leader Sitaram Yechury and Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav.

Gandhi has yet to return the honour.

Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, too, took to Twitter to reach out to Modi, who started following him as well on the micro-blogging site.

Delhi government and the Centre have been at odds over a range of issues over the past one year. In a series of tweets in Hindi, Sisodia thanked Modi for following him on Twitter and urged him to ensure the clearance of bills passed in the last one year by the Delhi Assembly.

“Narendra Modi sir thanks for following. I convey my greetings on Holi. Making a modest request for people in Delhi. All bills passed by Delhi Assembly in past one year are stuck with Home Ministry, please pass them. Delhi shall be thankful for that,” Sisodia tweeted.

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