New Delhi: In a sharp critique of the Samajwadi Party over former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav's controversial statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that under the Yogi Adityanath government, no one can harass women in Uttar Pradesh. Modi made this statement while addressing the 'Nari Shakti Samvad Program' in Varanasi.
"INDI alliance opposes reservation for women. Wherever their government comes to power, the life of women becomes difficult. People of Varanasi are familiar with the 'jungle raj' of both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Daughters had to leave their studies and sit at home for their safety and SP people shamelessly said ladke hain galti ho jati hai (they are boys, boys make mistakes)".
"If SP boys make a mistake today, they will get such a treatment from Yogi Adityanath's government that they would not have even imagined," PTI quoted PM Modi as saying.
Referencing former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav's controversial statement on rape cases, "ladke hain galti ho jati hai (they are boys, mistakes do happen)," PM Modi underscored the BJP government's accomplishments. He highlighted the construction of 11 crore toilets, stating, "The Opposition made fun of me for focusing on building toilets, but I understood their importance for my mothers and sisters."
PM Modi also mentioned opening free bank accounts for poor women and distributing 4 crore houses, with registrations in women's names to ensure their ownership.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath accompanied PM Modi during the roadshow. Criticising the high prices under the previous Congress government, PM Modi highlighted the BJP's numerous schemes that have provided relief to the poor, including women.
"Congress is synonymous with the popular song 'Mehengai dayan khai jaat hai.' If Congress were in power, kitchen costs would be two to three times higher. But this is BJP and Modi, a son of the poor," he said.
PM Modi emphasised the distribution of free ration, saving people Rs 12,000, and the Ujjwala Yojana, saving Rs 300. He also mentioned over 300,000 cataract operations in Kashi, which saved each person Rs 20,000, adding, "Modi has done the sacred job of saving Rs 20,000 for each of these 300,000 people."
He emphasised that, for the first time, women have been brought to the center stage of policymaking in the country. "For the first time in the country's history, mothers, sisters, and women are at the center of policymaking. This is a crucial factor in India's success story. Tell me, when a house cannot run without you, how can the country be run without you? This is something the governments of the past 60 years did not understand," PM Modi said.
PM Modi criticised the Congress and Samajwadi Party governments for giving only neglect and insecurity to women.
"What did the Congress and SP governments do to women... They only neglected them. The mentality of the INDI alliance is anti-women. The INDI Alliance opposes Women's Reservations," he added.
PM Modi Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Mahashakti Remarks
Further in his address, PM Modi also slammed the I.N.D.I.A bloc over Rahul Gandhi's 'Shakti' remark and said that his government is going to turn this 'shakti' into "mahashakti".
"Leaders of the INDI alliance openly say that they will destroy the 'Shakti' of Hindus, but after June 4, Modi government will make your 'shakti' as 'maha shakti'...I am continuously working for the public. With your blessings, neither I stop or get tired. My only aim is to reduce any problem faced by my 140 crore people," Prime Minister Modi added.
PM Modi, a two-time MP from Varanasi, secured resounding victories in 2014 and 2019 and is now seeking a third consecutive win from the constituency. Voting in Varanasi will be held on June 1 in the last phase, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4. This time, he faces Congress candidate Ajay Rai, the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc's joint nominee against him.