UP elections 2017: Akhilesh government creating hurdles in development of Varanasi, says PM Modi

The prime minister further said that the states of western India have seen development but those on the eastern side are still lagging behind. He said that the Centre has given the state government for the treatment of poor people in Varanasi, but those ruling the state doesn’t even have the humanity to use that fund for them.

Speaking of fast spreading corruption in the country, Modi said,”I want to throw out those who have looted this country. The corrupt netas, the babus in office. They will not be spared.” Mentioning various scams like the AgustaWestland chopper scam, coal scam and many more, the prime minister said, “Earlier people of this country used to ask about the amount of money lost in those scams, but now-a-days people ask how much money have we earned. The residents of Kashi must be proud that their constituency doesn’t have a single dark spot.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his road show in Varanasi on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

“I want to tell all honest citizens, no one will ever trouble you. Honesty will be given due respect. Once an honest government comes to power and the govt officials stop doing corruption, I am sure not a single businessman will evade tax,” Modi added.

Lashing out at the opposition parties for seeking proof of the surgical strikes, Modi said the Opposition parties “do not even trust our jawans”. “Our opponents that they want proof of surgical strikes. They don’t even trust their Army jawans. They ask so many from other side of the borders were killed. How come nobody from our side died.”

Watch What Else Is Making News

“The jawans of our country are fearlessly facing the enemies. They are killing our enemies and giving befitting reply to them every time they attack us. And it is only for the jawans of our country that we have brought in One rank One Pension(OROP). The promises we made have been fulfilled,” added PM Modi.

Modi further went on to speak about the importance of tourism in Varanasi. He hit out at the SP government once again by speaking of the broken roads of the city. “What will the tourists feel. We wanted to build roads on different stretches. But the work is slow, the state government has no intention to build roads,” he said.

“Be it the cleaning of Ganga or underground wiring. All are aimed at promoting tourism. It will increase job opportunities. Our focus is on boosting tourism,” the prime minister added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his road show in Varanasi on Sunday. (PTI Photo)

Taking a dig at the Congress over its series of losses in the recent polls, the prime minister said one day, research would be done to find out if it once existed, as it is “disappearing from everywhere.” While Akhilesh has inherited his political powers from his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, Gandhi has got it from “so many of his forefathers”, Modi said while using a local term, ‘ghelua’ (what comes free of cost) for the two leaders.

“They are such delicate people who cannot take hard decisions. They think what if they lose what they got. I have not got anything in inheritance. Whatever I have got is due to the blessing of the people of Kashi. I can take hard decisions to rid the country of its problems. I have the courage to do so,” Modi said.

He added that demonetisation has brought the SP, BSP and the Congress on the same side in its opposition while the country was supported it.

Modi presented himself as the one who will take up the job of developing the state, especially the eastern parts which are going to polls on March 8, if the BJP is voted to power.

Reaching out to small traders who are in significant numbers here, he said they would not be touched by his government’s drive against corruption as the politicians and ‘babus’ have looted the country all these years.