Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor today, the latest in a series of blockbuster events at his constituency Varanasi ahead of the Uttar Pradesh election early next year, provoked a caustic swipe from Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.

“People stay in Kashi when the end is near,” the Samajwadi Party leader said in a comment that has made UP BJP leaders turn furious .

Also Former UP CM Akhilesh has claimed documentary evidence that the Kashi Vishwanath corridor project was approved by his government a claim that has been again denied and criticised by the BJP.

PM Modi has been visiting UP, especially Varanasi, for events that, many say, have blurred the lines between an official function and the BJP’s election campaign.

Asked about reports of a month-long celebration involving the PM, Akhilesh Yadav sneered: “It is good. They can stay there not just for one month, but even two or three months. That is the right place to stay. People spend their last days in Banaras (Varanasi).”

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akilesh  was referring to a Hindu belief that it is auspicious to spend one’s last days in Kashi or Varanasi.

In a packed day, PM Modi took a dip in the Ganga and led a yajna at the Kashi Vishwanath before launching the Kashi Vishwanath Dham (corridor) project. 

Chief ministers of all BJP-ruled states are present for the Prime Minister’s two-day visit and will attend a conclave with him on December 14 .

modi kasi visit
The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, which has revamped and renovated the temple premises and its link to the Ganges, is a testament to a resurgent nation bridging its ancient civilisation and modernity, Prime Minister Said

In the evening, he witnessed the spectacular Ganga aarti on the banks of the holy river.

modi bath in ganga

Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor Rs 339-crore project in Varanasi inaugurated by Modi. He prasied UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a “karmayogi” for completing the project .

Elections are due in three months in Uttar Pradesh and four other states. Opposition parties called PM Modi acts as election stunts. In the inauguration relay of events including bath at Ganga and walk over corridor UP BJP CM Yogi was not present also raised eyebrows amongst Yogi supporters

Akhilesh Yadav and his Samajwadi Party have been campaigning aggressively to oust the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government. His tours across the states are drawing huge crowds and opinion polls predicts Victory of SP heaaded by Akilesh in Uttar Pradesh 

Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of PM Modi, is part of the Purvanchal region that has 160 seats in the 403-member UP assembly.

Akhilesh Yadav has accused the BJP of trying to take credit for projects that he started as Chief Minister before losing power in 2017.

“They are good at telling lies in front of you and me. But, one should avoid telling lies in front of the god,” he told reporters.

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