"Those Who Play Games...": PM Modi's Dig At Opposition In Varanasi

In a swipe at opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said those hankering for power focus solely on promoting their own families, while his government works on the theme of inclusive development.

Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of 44 projects worth Rs 3,880 crore here, he said, "Our guiding mantra in serving the nation has always been 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. With this spirit, we continue to move forward for the betterment of every citizen".

He said in contrast, those who are power hungry play political games day and night, driven not by national interest but by a single-minded focus on family-based support and family-centric development.

"Those who play games day and night only to grab power, their principle is 'parivar ka saath parivar ka vikas' (family support, family development)," the prime minister said in his Parliamentary constituency.

Elaborating on the development witnessed in his constituency, he said earlier Purvanchal lacked health facilities but today Kashi is becoming the health capital.

"Today India is moving ahead with both development and heritage together and our Kashi is becoming the best model for this," he said, adding, "The soul of India resides in its diversity and Kashi is its most beautiful picture".

PM Modi also said that his government is working to ensure that the 2036 Olympics take place in India.

Among the projects inaugurated by PM Modi were schemes focused on rural development, including 130 drinking water projects, 100 new anganwadi centres, 356 libraries, a polytechnic college in Pindra, and a government degree college, Varanasi Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma said.

The prime minister also inaugurated a transit hostel at the police lines and police barracks in Ramnagar and four rural roads, he said.

Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among those present on the occasion.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)