Gorakhpur: Denouncing politics being played in the name of casteism and nepotism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pitched for a BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to promote politics of development but skipped any mention of the raging controversy surrounding Dalits.
"You (people) don't need those who play politics of casteism and nepotism. You have filled everyone's pocket but has your pocket been filled.
"My dear youths, nepotism and poison of casteism will not help in development. Support politics of 'vikasvad' (development). I am here to urge you to bless me with your support as you have done earlier (in Lok Sabha polls)," he said at a public meeting in an apparent attack on the main opposition parties in the state without naming them.
Exhorting the people of poll-bound UP to shun politics of family, Modi said, "There has been enough of family and caste politics. You supported everybody. But did they support you as well? Were youths and farmers benefited?”
In a speech delivered after laying foundation stone for an AIIMS and revival of a sick fertiliser plant, Modi skipped any reference to the raging controversy stoked by one of his party leader's attack on Mayawati or the violence against Dalits in Gujarat. He focused his speech on his efforts to boost state's development.
The Prime Minister also accused the state's Samajwadi Party government of being unable to spend the central fund for the state's health sector and asked people to choose a government next year which could run for them like him.
"I have given Rs 7000 crores to the state. This is not less for the health sector but the state government has only utilised Rs 2850 crores as there is a provision to show utilisation for taking rest amount. This happened as the state government did not have the strength," Modi said.
"The government which cannot work for the health doesn't deserve to continue," he added.
The Prime Minister said the revival of the fertiliser plant is going to bring a big change as gas-based economy will start with supply of gas in Gorakhpur through Jagdishpur-Haldia pipeline.
"The gas being brought by the pipeline for the factory will go to every household in Gorakhpur and in a same way water is supplied through pipe. If electricity and gas are provided, then industrialists line up. It is a beginning of an industrial revolution in the eastern UP.
"It is not merely inauguration of a factory but the start of a victory march that will defeat poverty, unemployment," he said.
