BackPM Modi seeks to defuse Dayashankar Singh row in Gorakhpur
Narendra Modi in Gorakhpur rally says caste-based and dynasty politics will not lead to development of Uttar Pradesh
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought to defuse the controversy triggered by remarks made by a former leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, declaring at a public meeting in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, that caste-based and dynasty politics will not lead to development of the state.
Modi said that people of Uttar Pradesh had given every political party a chance and should install a government that works for development.
“Caste politics and dynasty politics will not develop Uttar Pradesh or benefit the people of the state," he said in Gorakhpur, where he had gone to lay the foundation stone of a fertilizer plant and an All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).
The controversy was triggered by former BJP state vice president Dayashankar Singh’s use of derogatory language against Mayawati on Wednesday. All political parties, including ministers in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, condemned the comments. Both houses of Parliament also discussed issues related to atrocities against dalits.
Modi has visited the state at least 12 times since BJP completed one year in government on 26 May 2015. Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh are due early next year. A win will be critical to BJP retaining the political momentum that has swung its way again after the historic victory in Assam.
Speaking at the public meeting, Modi said that Uttar Pradesh will play a crucial role in the second green revolution in the country. “The second green revolution will start from eastern Uttar Pradesh... I have always believed that if Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and north-eastern states don’t get stronger then development of the country will not happen. The government is working hard to develop the eastern parts of the country," he added.
The BJP is hoping to repeat its 2014 Lok Sabha election performance in the state when the NDA won 73 out of the 80 Lok Sabha seats. In a way, the state was instrumental in electing Modi to office. However, strong regional players—the incumbent Samajwadi Party and the BSP—are also expected to play a crucial role.
Modi’s visit to Saharanpur on 26 May, on the second anniversary of the NDA government at the centre, was seen as a soft launch of the BJP’s electoral campaign in the state.
He chose Uttar Pradesh to celebrated the NDA government’s first anniversary as well, by holding a public meeting in Mathura.
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