Modi takes on Cong in UP, says measures from Nehru’s time not implemented

In an attack on Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said eastern Uttar Pradesh would have seen the development required in the region had the HM Patel Commission’s recommendations had been implemented five decades ago.

Speaking at the BJP’s Parivartan Yatra rally in Ghazipur, Modi on Monday said he had launched several schemes that would ensure development and end poverty in the region. The Prime Minister said his government would construct roads and bridge, besides completing the laying of a railway track between Tadighat and Mau.

“The Congress ignored recommendations of the Patel commission, which was set up by Pandit Nehru, to ensure development in Ghazipur and adjoining areas. But I have started implementing all recommendations on the birth anniversary of Pandit Nehru.”

The Patel commission was set up during Nehru’s tenure as prime minister in 1962 after a local MP, Vishwanath, brought attention to the plight of the poverty-stricken people in Parliament. Such was the condition, Vishwanath said, that the poor had to pick up wheat grains from dung and grind them to satiate their hunger.

The Patel commission had recommended construction of roads, bridges and laying of a railway line, but none of these was done.

“Implementation has begun today since construction of bridge on the Ganga has started today,” Modi said after laying the foundation for rail-cum-road bridge on the river Ganga on Ghazipur-Mau-Tadighat rail route. He also laid the foundation stone for doubling of the railway track between Ghazipur and Ballia, and flagged off the superfast Shabd Bhedi Express between Ghazipur and Kolkata.

“I have come here on November 14 deliberately to expose those who did not work towards fulfilling what Pandit Nehru had wanted to do. Today on Pandit Nehru’s birthday, I pledge to reopen those files, which his party and family PMs never did,” he said, referring to the plan for the rail bridge over the Ganga in Ghazipur.

Talking about the steps taken by his government for the development of eastern UP, he asked: “Who imagined the fertiliser plant in Gorakhpur will get fresh lease of life? This government has done it. Poorvanchal has got AIIMS also.”

Modi began his speech in Bhojpuri, and to reiterate the state’s significance, added that he was the ninth Prime Minister from Uttar Pradesh.

“I salute this land(Ghazipur) which gave birth to Vir Abdul Hamid, who taught Pakistan a lesson in the 1965 war,” he said.

Opposition parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress, have been attacking the BJP-led NDA for bringing misery upon the common man through the demonetisation move. For the past five days, people have spent hours waiting in long queues outside banks and ATMs to exchange their now invalid banknotes and withdraw money.