BJP's fight is against SCAM in Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi says in Meerut rally

PM Narendra Modi addressing a rally in Meerut. PIC/ABP News

Meerut: Stepping up the ante against political rivals in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the fight is against Samajwadi Party, Congress, Akhilesh and Mayawati. He abbreviated it as "SCAM". Lashing out at the recent alliance of Samajwadi Party and Congress, Modi said: "They (SP-Cong) kept on trying to eliminate each other for decades & are now screaming "bachao bachao". How will they save UP?" He also likened his first election rally in Uttar Pradesh with India's first war of independence in 1857, saying it was a fight against the British then and now it is a battle against poverty and the state's rulers who have obstructed growth and development. "The first war of Independence began here in Meerut in 1857. Then the fight was against the British and now the war is to eradicate poverty," Modi said, addressing a well attended gathering of BJP supporters here. The Prime Minister said despite Uttar Pradesh having so much potential for development, youth from the state were still being forced to look for employment opportunities in other states of India. He said his government wanted "to do so much for Uttar Pradesh but could not because the state government has been obstructing" his developmental initiatives. "Every initiative (of the central government for Uttar Pradesh) gets stuck in Lucknow," he said. He made a strong pitch for demonetisation and urged people to bring a BJP government in power in Uttar Pradesh so that "corruption and black money could be weeded out". "When I took the decision to demonetise high-value currency notes, I knew that people who have stashed black money will gang up and bay for my blood. But I knew the people of this country are behind me," he said as the audience cheered. He asked the people to seek answers from the Congress on how come Rs 140 crore was found stashed at the residence of a Karnataka minister. "I am not going to stop; neither will I bow to such forces. I am Modi... I will not rest until each and every penny looted from the people of this country is accounted for," he said. Modi also took potshots at the Bahujan Samaj Party, saying that people who had sold tickets and stashed money in rooms had lost it all (due to demonetisation). "I assure you that no matter who gangs up against me -- whatever alliances are formed -- no one can shake me from my resolve to make this country corruption-free" the Prime Minister said amid shouts of 'Modi Modi'. Uttar Pradesh goes to the hustings in seven phases from February 11 to March 8. (With additional information from IANS)