Modi pays tribute to ex-PM Shastri, visits ashram with Yadav following
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has often accused the Congress of not giving due respect to leaders who were not from the Nehru-Gandhi family, on Monday paid tribute to former premier Lal Bahadur Shastri at his ancestral home at Ramnagar in Varanasi.
The prime minister travelled 800 metres in an open SUV from Ram Nagar Chowk to Shastri Chowk. He then walked about 100 metres to Shastri’s ancestral home from the square, listened to bhajans (religious songs), had a look at photographs and remained for a few minutes at the house where the former PM had spent his early childhood. He offered a garland to a statue of Shastri.
Before his visit to Ramnagar, Modi went to Garhwa Ghat Ashram, offered prayers and also fed the cows at the ashram’s shelter.
The ashram has over a crore followers, especially among the backward castes, and is said to have a powerful say in the political decision making of the Yadav community.
Saints at the ashram offered rudraksha garland to the PM who called on Mahant Sharnanand, the head of the sect, and remained closeted with him for 10 minutes. The head guru offered his blessings and heaped praise on Modi.
Modi responded to his welcome by bowing to the saints and talking to them with folded hands. He took a round of the campus decorated with marigold and rose flowers for the highprofile visit.
The head guru at the Garhwa Ghat Ashram has traditionally come from the Yadav caste and has followers spread across the poll-bound region. Modi’s visit is seen as an attempt to reach out to the Yadav community, which has traditionally aligned with the Samajwadi Party.
The PM could not deliver a speech on the occasion as a short-circuit caused the sound system to go out of order. Mahant Sharnanand was addressing the gathering at the time.
Since many years, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has been coming to the ashram to seek blessings during elections.
OUR STRESS IS ON GOOD GOVERNANCE: PM
Interacting with prominent citizens of Varanasi on late Sunday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted various developmental works and schemes launched by his government.
Modi recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to India’s independence.
“Gandhi ji made independence a Jan Andolan. Every work he carried out, he connected it with independence. Such was his contribution. This should serve as an inspiration for us in the development of the country,” he said. “Our stress is on good governance. We remain connected with citizens, note their troubles, ensure work is done and on time,” he said.
He spoke about how the Centre had undertaken electrification of India’s villages in mission mode. “The SP and the Congress used to attack each other but now they have formed an alliance for elections. Such is their hunger for power,” Modi said.
He thanked the people for the love and affection. He said Janta Darshan in Kashi will be an unforgettable experience. “The love and affection of people here inspire us to work for people’s welfare,” he said.