Maghar, Uttar Pradesh: 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:
Jun 28, 2018 12:33 (IST)
BR Ambedkar advocated for equality in society but unfortunately there are parties that are using his ideals for political gains, said PM Modi.
Jun 28, 2018 12:32 (IST)
People who claim to follow Kabir are more worried about big bungalows, said PM Modi.
Jun 28, 2018 12:27 (IST)
Through Ujjwala Yojana, we have given security to lakhs of people. We have made crores of toilets in Uttar Pradesh's villages.
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.
Jun 28, 2018 12:19 (IST)
Governments in the past sat and only calculated personal gains, and never cared for the people, said PM Modi. Those who talk of Samajwad and Bahujan are only concerned about how to wrest power. They will lie and even harm the well being of people just to come to power.
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.
Jun 28, 2018 12:18 (IST)
Uttar Pradesh and people of the state need to be alert about these people. You have seen the face of these people even after Triple Talaq. These people have fixed roadblocks to pass the Triple Talaq bill. These people don't want to see society prosper.
Jun 28, 2018 12:15 (IST)
Some political parties don't want peace, harmony in society. They want the exact opposite, said PM Modi. Such people are cut off from ground realities. They have no idea that these leaders had shown us the way. Such people never took Kabir seriously, PM Modi added.
Jun 28, 2018 12:14 (IST)
There are those who only want to see chaos and want to create doubt and fear in the minds of people... they think that by doing so, they will gain politically, but those parties are completely cut-off from the reality on the ground, said PM Modi.
Jun 28, 2018 12:08 (IST)
I feel blessed that I got the opportunity to offer 'chadar' at Sant Kabir's Mazar and lay the foundation stone of Sant Kabir Academy: PM Modi