Elections 2019 highlights: PM Modi says those seeking proof of airstrike ‘appeasing’ Pakistan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the 9.4-km-long Dilshad Garden-New Bus Adda section, an extension of the Delhi Metro's Red Line, reports PTI. 

With this new section, entirely elevated, the Delhi Metro forayed into the interiors of Ghaziabad for the first time, touching the industrial areas in twin cities of Ghaziabad and Sahibabad.

"Passenger services on the Red Line extension from Dilshad Garden to Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda) in Ghaziabad will start from 8 am on Saturday," DMRC's Executive Director for Corporate Communications Anuj Dayal said.

Two of the eight stations on the Dilshad Garden-New Bus Adda section have been renamed in the honour of the country's fallen heroes.

"The Rajendra Nagar Metro station has been rechristened as Major Mohit Sharma Rajendra Nagar station and the end station New Bus Adda has been renamed to Shaheed Sthal (New Bus Adda)," a senior DMRC official told PTI.

PM Modi, while addressing a public gathering in Ghaziabad said that Pakistan itself tweeted at 5 in the morning that there was an airstrike. He said Pakistan is not a fool that it will lie about the airstrikes. "If Pakistan itself admitted about the airstrikes then why is Opposition raising such questions," he said. I would request such people to stop amusing Pakistan with such statements, he added while launching civilian flight operations at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. The airbase was earlier used for Air Force operations only.

PM: Sabse pehle 5 baje tweet kar ke rone ka kaam Pakistan ne shuru kiya tha. Ab mujhe bataiye ki Pakistan murkh hai kya? Jo kahega ki mujhe mara, mujhe mara. Hamare log pooch rahe hain, 'arre mara hai toh saboot do'. Meherbani kar ke Pakistan ko khush karne wale khel band karo. pic.twitter.com/oCA4j3TN19

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2019

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— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) March 8, 2019

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— BJP (@BJP4India) March 8, 2019

PM Narendra Modi in Ghaziabad: Metro projects in Lucknow, Agra, and Ghaziabad are being inaugurated/foundation stones being laid today. Tomorrow Noida metro's new route will be inaugurated and yesterday Nagpur metro was also started; Ahmedabad metro was also started this week. pic.twitter.com/LrXq5VD7uG

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2019

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— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2019

LIVE: PM Shri @narendramodi launches multiple development projects at Ghaziabad. https://t.co/3uAHwREskm

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 8, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday flagged off the commercial run on Lucknow Metro's North-South corridor through video conference from Kanpur. The length of the North-South corridor is 23 kilometre.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Chandauli MP and state BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey, Kanpur MP Murli Manohar Joshi, along with other state ministers were present on the occasion.

The prime minister also laid the foundation stone for Agra Metro Rail project. Modi also distributed keys of houses to the beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making fun of poor farmers by doling out only Rs 3.50 a day while waving loans worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore of industrialists, reports PTI.

Coming down heavily on the prime minister, the Congress chief said the PM-KISAN scheme launched by the Centre is nothing but an attempt to make a mockery of poor farmers by doling out a paltry sum of Rs 6,000 annually.

Gandhi was addressing a well-attended Congress rally at this south Odisha town in tribal-dominated Koraput district, where the engine unit of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is located, ahead of the upcoming election for the state Assembly as well as the Lok Sabha.

PM Modi attacked the Congress and Opposition parties over raising questions over Balakot airstrikes in Pakistan in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack. He said that political statements made by some Opposition leaders give enough ground to Pakistan to criticise us. He said this irresponsible act by Opposition affects the morale of Army. 

PM Modi, while condemning the assault on 2 Kashmiri dry fruit sellers in Lucknow, called for maintaining an atmosphere of unity. He aslo appreciated the timely action taken by the UP government leading to the arrest of those accused in the Wednesday incident.

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— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 8, 2019

PM Modi also paid tribute to Shyam Babu who was martyred in Pulwama attack and Deepak Pandey who lost his life in Budgam chopper crash.

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— BJP Uttar Pradesh (@BJP4UP) March 8, 2019

PM Modi, while addressing a rally in Kanpur said that unfortunately, attempts are being made to downplay Army's valour. "Can we forgive those who give statements which please Pakistan? Whole world is putting pressure on Pakistan but statements from some ppl in country are helping Pakistan," he said.

Addressing a public rally in Kanpur, PM Modi said that the place has a historic background as many many brave men and women were born here who contributed in the freedom struggle.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches several development projects, in Kanpur. pic.twitter.com/wZeo5b5xiW

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2019

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— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) March 8, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday claimed that "non-cooperation" by the previous Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh was responsible for the delay in start of a beautification project in his Lok Sabha constituency, reports PTI. He was addressing a gathering here after laying the foundation stone for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple's approach road and its beautification.

"In the first three years there was non-cooperation of the state government. The developmental projects here picked pace after you (people of Uttar Pradesh) made Yogi Adityanath the chief minister," he said.

"Had there been cooperation earlier, we would have launched the project instead of laying the foundation," Modi said. Attacking previous governments, the prime minister said, "In the past 70 years no government thought of Baba (Lord Shiva) and were silent. They took care of themselves but not of this place."

On the occasion of International Women's Day on Friday Congress president Rahul Gandhi hailed the "undaunted, fighting spirit" of women and urged people to recommit themselves to breaking barriers that hinder a woman's path to freedom and equality, PTI reported. 

His party added that both UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi between September 2017 and July 2018, urging him to pass the Women's Reservation Bill and assuring their unconditional support to it.

"We promise the people of India that #ThisBillWillPass when we form government," the Congress said in a tweet. 

Odisha is not an impoverished state, but, there is a concentration of wealth. We need to allocate more money for education and healthcare and we will do it: Congress President Rahul Gandhi

Odisha is not an impoverished state, but, there is concentration of wealth. We need to allocate more money for education and healthcare and we will do it: Congress President @RahulGandhi #INCforWomen#ThisBillWillPass pic.twitter.com/9utAPgmmvF

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 8, 2019

If Congress forms government in Odisha, girls will get free education, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said in Odisha

In an interaction with women in Odisha's Jeypore, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the party will ensure passage of the long-standing Women's Reservation Bill if voted to power

"There is an urgent need to provide reservation for women in state assemblies and Lok Sabha to ensure their empowerment. The Congress is keen to ensure this," Gandhi said during an interaction with women at a convention in Jeypore town of Odisha's Koraput district.

"If the Congress comes to power, our approach will be zero tolerance towards atrocities against women. They should get speedy justice," Gandhi said.

Watch LIVE: Congress President Rahul Gandhi's interaction with women in Odisha

LIVE: Congress President @RahulGandhi's interaction with women in Odisha. #ThisBillWillPass #INCforWomen https://t.co/ZGr5nysM08

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 8, 2019

Recently, it has been decided to give permanent commissions to women in some sectors of armed forces. When our jawans display valour, it is not only the men who are filled with pride, daughters also feel that given a chance they will also do the same, PM Modi said in the National Women Livelihood Meet 2019 in Varanasi

#WATCH PM Modi in Varanasi says, "When our soldiers accomplish missions, our daughters also feel that if they get an opportunity they can also achieve. Today, daughters in our country are flying fighter jet planes and also circumnavigating the globe. " #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/0qpYSIufVF

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2019

On International Women's Day, I offer my greetings to all the daughters, sisters and mothers of this country. You all are playing an important role in building a new India. Your active participation & blessings are very important in creating new culture of new India, ANI quoted PM Modi as saying 

On International Women's Day today, the Congress party "promised" that the long-standing Women's Reservation Bill will be passed.

Between Sept 2017 & July 2018, both UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi & Congress President @RahulGandhi wrote to Modi urging him to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill & assuring their unconditional support. We promise the people of India that #ThisBillWillPass when we form govt. pic.twitter.com/vlSqRMeGYB

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 8, 2019

Watch LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends National Women Livelihood Meet 2019 in Varanasi

PM Shri @narendramodi attends National Women Livelihood Meet 2019 in Varanasi. #NewIndia4NariShakti https://t.co/fbIVUfhBSK

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 8, 2019

Non-cooperation by previous governments are responsible for the delay in beautification project, PM Modi said after laying the foundation stone of Kashi Vishwanath temple approach road, beautification and strengthening project in Varanasi.

BJP delegation comprising Kana Lakshmi Naryana (BJP A.P. State President),  GVL Narasimha Rao (National Spokesperson) and V. Muraleedharan will meet the Election Commissioner of India  today at 11:30 AM. 

Enemies had their sight on Shri Kashi Vishwanath. Many a times it was under attack. But there is power in the ‘Aastha’ here and this great temple continues to give strength to people: PM Modi

Enemies had their sight on Shri Kashi Vishwanath. Many a times it was under attack. But there is power in the ‘Aastha’ here and this great temple continues to give strength to people: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 8, 2019

Laying the foundation stone of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, PM Modi said, "Pichhle kahi saalo se bhole baba ki chinta kisi ne ki nahi, sabhi ne apni apni chinta ki. achha hua ki bhole baba ne hamare bheetar ek chetna jagai. iske karan 40 se zada puratatvik mandir is pure dharm ke andar se mile. Ab in mandiro ki mukti ka rasta bhi khula hai. (For the last few years, nobody cared about Bhole Baba, everyone only cared for themselves. Good thing that Bhole Baba enlightened us.)"

PM Modi is speaking at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi. https://t.co/vfxVpA8Drt

— BJP (@BJP4India) March 8, 2019

Vishwanath Dham is a project I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I’ve come to Kashi even before I was in active politics. Since then I would think that one must do something for the Temple Complex. With the blessings of Bhole Baba, my dream has come true, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Vishwanath Dham is a project I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I’ve come to Kashi even before I was in active politics. Since then I would think that one must do something for the Temple Complex. With the blessings of Bhole Baba, my dream has come true: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 8, 2019

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor. pic.twitter.com/m4QrbFUECS

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2019

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be in Odisha today for a public rally. 

Congress President @RahulGandhi will be in Odisha today for a public rally & townhall with women. Tune into our social media channels to watch him live.

FB: https://t.co/NPOcx48kHN

YT: https://t.co/g2POk7bvU1 pic.twitter.com/ZtiieZRhLY

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 8, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, to lay the foundation stone of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor. He will lay the foundation stone of an approach road to the temple, beautification and strengthening project.

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Varanasi, to lay the foundation stone of Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor. He will also attend National Women Livelihood Meet 2019. pic.twitter.com/U4idHTBGqI

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 8, 2019