107-year-old man to vote for 17th time, says 'not been keeping well, but will definitely go to vote'

Democracy in India is 70-years-old but a 107-year-old man here is set to vote for the 17th time in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Ram Prasad Sharma has been continuously voting in the Lok Sabha elections, first conducted in 1951-52. He is the oldest person in the Semra Village in Khandauli town.

"I have not been keeping well, but I will definitely go to vote this time also. I also request everyone to vote as it is the most important thing we can do for our country," Ram Prasad said.

His 75-year-old son said that he pushes everyone who comes to visit him, to vote.

"He reads the newspaper every day to keep himself up to date about whatever is happening in the country. The zeal with which he prompts everyone to vote is commendable," he added.

Read: PM Modi Interview | 'For Four Generations They've Been Talking About Poverty,' Says PM Modi On Congress' NYAY Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme, Asking 'who Will Trust Them?'

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma on Saturday described the Congress' Nyay scheme as "anyaay (injustice) yojana", saying that the scheme is "laughable" when compared to the welfare schemes implemented by the BJP.

"The public is able to see all the 'anyaay' done by them (Congress) in their Nyay scheme. This is a type of 'anyaay yojana', as in the period of more than 70 years of Independence, you (Congress) ruled the country for almost three-fourths of the period, but never thought about the betterment of the people, especially the poor," Sharma said.

"The worst impact of the 'anyaay yojana' will be visible in Amethi (Rahul's constituency), where the 'raj gharana' (royal family) will lose the parliamentary election this time by a margin of few lakh votes for the first time, and the flag of the BJP will fly high," the minister said.

Read: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma Describes Nyay As 'anyaay Yojana'

The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls are set to begin on April 11 and will end on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 seats are at stake, polling will be held during all seven phases.

 (With inputs from ANI)