Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Eastern Uttar Pradesh's Sant Kabir Nagar district today, in a visit seen to be heavy with symbolism. The visit is being termed as the BJP's campaign launch in politically crucial Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2014, PM Modi made Varanasi the epicenter of his and the BJP's campaign, he won the Lok Sabha seat that is visited by thousands of pilgrims each day, many in search of enlightenment or moksha by the river Ganges that flows by - one of the world a holiest places.
2019 Lok Sabha Election Campaign:
This time, for 2019, PM Modi has chosen Maghar, about 250 kms from Lucknow but just 30 kilometres from Yogi Adityanath 's Gorkahpur, a place that is referred to, in superstition, as a 'gateway to hell'. The 15th century saint Kabir, held in high esteem by both Hindus and Muslims, died in Maghar, by his own choice, because he wanted to dispel a superstition of the time that anyone who died in Maghar went straight to hell.
PM Modi has laid the foundation stone for the Kabir Academy at Maghar.
Here are the highlights from Uttar Pradesh where PM Narendra Modi will launch BJP's 2019 Lok Sabha Election Campaign:
Through Ayushman Bharat, we have given poor people access to quality healthcare, said PM Modi.
Kabir said 'Kaal kare, so aaj kar' (Do now, what you want to do tomorrow).
In the last four years we have worked for everyone, be it poor or rich, be it farmers or soldiers. We have taken everyone along, be it jan dhan accounts or the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
We have been true to our Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas pledge.
Those who couldn't stand the sight of the other are now standing shoulder to shoulder, not for the benefit of you people, but to see their personal gains by somehow coming to power. All they are interested in is how to loot and make money, added PM Modi.
A lot of 'families' are fixed to subvert Kabir's teachings, he added.