Swachh Bharat: Nominated by PM Modi, Suresh Raina, Kailash Kher accept challenge, Akhilesh Yadav smiles

VARANASI: Prime minister Narendra Modi caught Akhilesh Yadav unawares when he nominated the Uttar Pradesh chief minister to carry forward his Clean India campaign. When asked about the nomination by Modi, who launched his pet project in his constituency Varanasi on Saturday, Yadav was non-committal. Besides Yadav, Modi nominated nine others.

They include BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, singer Kailash Kher, comedian Raju Srivastava, cricketers Suresh Raina and Mohd Kaif, founder and chancellor of University for the Blind in Chitrakoot, Swami Rambhadacharya, Sanskrit scholar Devi Prasad Diwedi, and author Manu Sharma. On Saturday morning, Modi led a cleanup drive at the Assi Ghat on the banks of the Ganga river by removing silt for more than 15 minutes.


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Prime Minister Narendra Modi wields a spade as he participates in the 'Swachh Bharat Campaign' at Assi Ghat in Varanasi. (PTI)

We are part of #SwachhBharatMission from beginning @PMOIndia @narendramodi @Prasoon_Joshi Wrote Very Soulful Lyrics n I Sang, #swachhbharat

— Kailash Kher (@Kailashkher) November 8, 2014

"Cleanliness is a reflection of our civilization. It has started as a dream but we should all make it our own mission," Raina said.

Cleanliness is a reflection of our Civilization. It has started as a dream but we should all make it our own mission. @PMOIndia

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) November 8, 2014

The cricketer said he will join the campaign after the One Day series with Sri Lanka.

Honoured to be nominated by @PMOIndia for #SwachhtaAbhiyaan Will take up the endeavour as soon as I'm in UP after ODI series

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) November 8, 2014

"Honoured to be nominated by @PMOIndia for #SwachhtaAbhiyaan. Will take up the endeavour as soon as I'm in Uttar Pradesh after ODI series," Raina tweeted.