Mayawati Accuses PM Narendra Modi, Akhilesh Yadav Of 'Wasting Money'

Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, accusing them of "wasting money on government functions" on the occasion of May Day instead of taking measures to improve the lot of labourers.

"Instead of giving long speeches and wasting money on government functions on May Day yesterday, had the daily wage of labourers been hiked it would have made the day more relevant for them," Mayawati was quoted as saying in a party release issued in Lucknow.

Dubbing as ridiculous the prime minister's declaration in Ballia yesterday that he was 'Shramik No 1' (Worker No 1), Ms Mayawati said before him Congress leaders also used to term themselves as 'Janata ka Sewak and Mukhya Sewak' (public servant or main worker) and now Modi is following them and trying to mislead people.

"Similarly, the head of Uttar Pradesh government announced that those working at four official construction sites will get lunch at Rs 10 per head but will these declarations and schemes aimed at getting cheap publicity suffice in making the lives of crores of poor and labourers in the state better. I feel that these are all an eyewash," she asked.