Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes a ride on an e-boat in Varanasi.
Highlights
- PM Modi went to Varanasi after launching the LPG scheme in Ballia
- He said the Centre will allocate "tremendous resources" to Uttar Pradesh
- He launched e-boats and e-rickshaws, which will run on solar power
After launching e-boats and e-rickshaws in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a ride in both today.
"Schemes that strengthen the people are important, not schemes that strengthen vote banks," he said at Assi Ghat after the boat ride. It was another dig at the people, who, he said, were giving a political spin to the visit.
The Prime Minister flew into Varanasi after launching a scheme in Ballia under which free LPG connections will be given to five crore poor women. While there, he had his visit should not be politically interpreted - indicating a speculation made with an eye at the 2017 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.
He said the Centre had plans to allocate "tremendous resources" to develop Uttar Pradesh. "Fruits of development have to reach the eastern part of India and then we will gain strength in the fight against poverty," he said.
PM Modi takes an e-rickshaw ride in Varanasi.
During an earlier visit to Varanasi, PM Modi had launched the Rs 45,000 crore nationwide Integrated Power Development Scheme -- a bid to improve the failing infrastructure of what is said to be the oldest city in India.
In January, he had flagged off the superfast Mahanama Express that would ply between Varanasi and New Delhi thrice a week.