Narendra Modi attacks Congress over 'Muslim Party' remark

After laying the foundation stone of the Purvanchal Expressway here, Modi said: "For the past two days I am hearing that a naamdar leader (Rahul Gandhi) has said that Congress is a party of Muslims. The comment did not surprise me."

"Even ex-PM Manmohan Singh had said that Muslims have the first right over nation's natural resources," he said.

"However, I will like to ask the party that whether the party is only for the Muslim men?" questioned Modi.

Modi said: "They don't stand with Muslim women on important issues like triple talaq."

Heaping praises on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the image of the state is changing with the Government doing remarkably to contain corruption and bring in development. 

“Under Yogi Adityanath, the rate of atrocities and corruption in the state has come down as the state government works tirelessly for the farmers, youth and women,” Modi said while laying the foundation for the 340-km Purvanchal Expressway.

“The image of Uttar Pradesh is changing and the state will touch new heights,” he added.

The PM said the BJP Government in UP has done its best to create an environment suitable for development. "The Purvanchal Expressway will feed the hopes and dreams of Uttar Pradesh."

"The UP farmers’ vegetables, fruits and milk will reach the markets of Delhi faster," he says.

“As connectivity increases, development speeds up," Modi said.

The total cost of the expressway project is over Rs 23,300 crore. The UP Cabinet recently approved a proposal to seek bank loans of about Rs 12,000 crore for the expressway.

Modi is on a two-day tour of Uttar Pradesh. Besides laying foundation for the expressway, he will inaugurate several other development projects, with those in Varanasi alone estimated to be worth Rs. 1,000 crore, reports said.