Varanasi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the people in Varanasi today that “prayers for my death were done” by his political rivals. “We have seen how much people have stooped low in Indian politics but when in Kashi prayers for my death were done, I felt elated,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI at a rally in Varanasi.
“This meant that till my death neither will I leave Kashi nor its people will leave me,” PM Modi added, reported ANI.
The swipe was at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who had directed a barb at the Prime Minister over his many official functions in Varanasi last year, before the elections were announced and Model Code of Conduct came into play.
Critics said the functions were being used to spread the BJP’s political message ahead of the elections.
Asked about reports of a month-long celebration involving PM Modi, Akhilesh Yadav had pointedly said, “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 reference was to the Hindu belief that it is auspicious to spend one’s last days in Banaras, otherwise known as Kashi.
The comment was slammed by BJP leaders.
