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Bundelkhand: Only BJP can fight mafias of political parties, boasts PM Narendra Modi

News Agencies | Updated on: 11 February 2017, 5:48 IST

In an attempt to strike an emotional chord with the people of Bundelkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said natural resources of the region were plundered by "mafias of political parties".

"Did they (political parties) have guts to remove these mafias? Only BJP can fight them," he said.

Alleging that under Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) governments there were instances of "land grabbing", he alleged these parties give tickets to those who grab lands and make them netas.

Laying stress on water management in Bundelkhand, Modi said the region has five rivers, but it still faces water scarcity.

"In Gujarat, we have Narmada and another river and with water management, we succeeded in dealing with water crisis in the past 15 years," he said.

Mentioning the ambitious scheme to connect rivers, Modi said it was a dream of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the incumbent Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti is taking it forward.

"There are rivers which played havoc during rains and others are such which remain dry after rains. There is a need to connect them to ensure water availability," he said.

Modi said the Centre had provided Rs 3,500-4,000 crore to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for development of the Bundelkhand region. While in MP 90 % of water needs have been met, in UP even 40 % of works had not been completed, he said.

"In UP, out of 70 irrigation schemes, none has been completed. In Bundelkhand of MP, 170 schemes have been completed. In UP's Bundelkhand region, farmers have been ruined and money sent by the Centre was not used.

"Only 3,500 out of 30,000 wells, for which funds were provided by the Centre, were dug in UP. Where has the money gone, no one knows... In MP, work on 47,000 wells have been completed," he said, seeking to draw a comparison between a BJP-ruled state and a non-BJP ruled state.

"In MP, work for storage of 6 lakh tonnes food grains was completed but in UP, not a single kg capacity of storage has been increased. In MP, 18,000 families were associated with animal husbandry, milk production etc but nothing was done in UP," he said.

"In BJP-ruled states, money is utilised, but if there is SP or BSP government, they use this amount to play games," he said.

Stating that he was indebted to UP, Modi said the state had given several PMs and he also became PM due to UP. "I want you to give such a government in UP, that I can do the maximum work for you. I am here to repay debt," he said.

"I am here to serve you, not to rule. Service is my dharma. I want to change lives of the farmers with your blessings," he said.

This was Modi's fourth public meeting in Uttar Pradesh in the past six months after Ballia, Gorakhpur, and Lucknow.

The BJP, which had swept the Lok Sabha elections more than two years ago, winning 71 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, is seeking to make a comeback by wresting power after 15 years from the ruling SP. Bundelkhand region has 19 Assembly constituencies.

-PTI

First published: 24 October 2016, 5:10 IST