PM Modi in Azamgarh
Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi for his reported remark that Congress is a party of Muslims, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked the Congress president to clarify whether his party belongs only to male members of the Muslim community.
Slamming Congress for not speaking out on issues like triple talaq that concern Muslim women, PM Modi said,"I have read in newspaper that Congress president has said that Congress is a party of Muslims, I am not surprised by this. All I want to ask is, whether their party is only for Muslim men or for women too?"
"The stand of these parties on triple talaq have exposed them. On one side the Centre is trying to make the lives of women easy, on the other side these people have grouped together to make the lives of women, especially Muslim women, difficult," PM Modi said while addressing a rally in Azamgarh.
Attacking the efforts of Congress and other opposition parties to cobble up a grand-alliance ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi said,"Those who didn't even like looking at each other earlier, are now chanting Modi Modi. These people, out on bail, along with the dynastic parties now want to create obstacles on your path to development."
Lauding UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, PM Modi said that he is an able administrator who has made immense contribution to the development of the state.
"BJP govt is working to create an environment of development in UP. What Yogi ji did by putting a check on crime & corruption, bringing investments to the state & making business easier for small traders, is commendable," he said.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister laid the foundation stone for Rs 23,000-crore Purvanchal Expressway.
The 340-km-long six-lane expressway will provide a smooth ride between Lucknow and Ghazipur in eastern UP.
"Purvanchal Expressway will take UP, especially Eastern UP, to greater heights. More than Rs 23,000 Crore will be spent on it. All the cities, towns and places falling in the route will experience a change,"PM Modi said.
Watch: PM Modi addresses rally in Azamgarh