Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that a massive campaign like Operation Ganga to evacuate stranded Indian citizens from Ukraine reflected India's growing might in the global arena and the government would leave no stone unturned to bring back every citizen safely from the war-torn country.
Addressing election rallies in Sonbhadra and Ghazipur, Modi said that several thousands of immigrants had already been evacuated while four ministers had been sent and Indian Air Force (IAF) planes had been deployed to bring back the remaining Indian citizens.
He added: "In the present global scenario, India needs to be more powerful, but this is possible only when India is self-reliant with least dependence on other countries for its needs. And you cannot rely on these dynasties which mock India's self-reliance efforts through Make in India mission, humiliate our armed forces and question their valour, as well as spread rumours against our own vaccines against COVID-19, to make India strong."
"We ran the fastest vaccination campaign and provided free ration to 80 crore people for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, including 15 crore in Uttar Pradesh, a fact which has stunned the world. Our government is working tirelessly to ensure that no child stays hungry in these challenging times," he said.
Cautioning people of Sonbhadra against opposition parties which looted the district's mineral wealth and denied power supply to several of its villages for decades despite the fact that Sonbhadra supplied electricity to the entire Purvanchal region, the prime minister said that people were never a priority of these parties.
Contrasting opposition parties with the achievements of the double-engine government, Modi remarked: "Sonbhadra and many other districts are endowed with rich natural resources. But the previous governments headed by opposition parties looted minerals and left people to fend for themselves. Our government has set up a District Mineral Fund from which states will get Rs 50,000 crore. Besides, a portion of the revenue earned from minerals will go to the place it belongs to."
The prime minister pointed out that the government was also working on including Sonbhadra in Akanshi Zila Abhiyan. "Moreover, we are building pucca houses and toilets and providing cooking gas connections, electricity and tap water to the poor. We have built thousands of houses in Sonbhadra alone and want to assure you that after March 10, we will ensure houses for every family," he said.
Modi added: "We have made a provision of Rs 1 lakh crore in the budget to build houses under PM Awas Yojana and provide tap water under Har Ghar Nal Yojana. Ayushman cards are also being made for people so that they can avail of treatment at the best private hospitals for up to Rs 5 lakh."
According to the prime minister, the previous governments gave minimum support price (MSP) on 8-10 crops while the National Democratic Alliance government was giving MSP on 90 crops.
He said two lakh small farmers of Sonbhadra and five lakh of Ghazipur had received Rs 350 crore and Rs 850 crore respectively in their bank accounts under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi without any corruption or commission. Besides, he said, 2.5 lakh women had got cooking gas connections in Ghazipur.
Taking a jibe at opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that Ghazipur, known for its brave freedom fighters, became a safe haven for the mafia and criminals during the previous regimes. He mentioned the cold-blooded murder of Krishnanand Rai and the burning of Dalits' villages in Ghazipur in this connection.
He added: "But today, under the government led by Yogiji, rioters and mafia were on their knees in Ghazipur. Development of Ghazipur, with opening of Purvanchal Expressway and building of highways to enhance connectivity was Yogi Adityanath's priority."
The prime minister said that the support being received by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its alliance partners Apna Dal (Sonelal) and NISHAD Party had already decided the verdict of the election.
"I have seen many elections, but this election is unique. In this election, it is not who are fighting but the people who are fighting on our (BJP) behalf," he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, who attended the prime minister's rally at Sonbhadra, urged people to vote for the NDA as it would pave the way for UP to become 'Uttam Pradesh'