NELLORE: Allaying fears over ill-effects of demonetisation, Union Minister for Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would come to power in the five poll-bound States on the strength of good governance, transparency and development.
During his visit to Nellore to address the valedictory of an exhibition held by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Mr. Naidu told mediapersons that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his development initiatives, the BJP would emerge victorious in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur.
Taking a dig at the new opposition alliances in Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Naidu said the Congress and the Samajwadi Party were responsible for the backwardness and lack of development in that State and that their future arrangements were still vague going by the internal confusion within the SP groups.
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Mr. Naidu evaded a question on the developing political situation in Tamil Nadu, where certain AIADMK leaders alleged that the Centre was trying to destabilise their government.
Earlier, in his address as chief guest of KVIC expo’s valedictory function held at Sarvodaya College Grounds here, Mr. Naidu found fault with the Opposition leaders and critics on the issue of Mr. Modi’s photo replacing that of Mahatma Gandhi in the calendar of Khadi Udyog India.
“This unfortunate attitude among the Congress sympathisers and leaders should change at least now. Gandhiji’s photo was not being used in this particular instance for over 5 years. It is fitting that Modi’s photo is taken as he has been giving a strong push to use of Khadi and indigenous fabric,” he said.
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On demonetisation, Mr. Naidu said Mr. Modi was taking tough measures to root out black money which became very problematic for some big people while the law-abiding sections were happy as they had no issues like hoarding of black money or unaccounted gold.
He also inaugurated the Group-II rural sports meet “Khelo India”, a national level event being organised at ACS Stadium to encourage youths below 14 years of age. This is being held for Kabbadi, Kho Kho and Wushu with a view to encouraging rural talent and also to enhance sports infrastructure in rural areas.