‘It is development vs don in Phulpur’
ALLAHABAD: Uttar Pradesh health minister Sidharth Nath Singh has said the BSP’s decision to support Samajwadi Party (SP) candidates in Gorakhpur and Phulpur (Allahabad) Lok Sabha by-polls will not affect the BJP’s prospects on both the seats.
Without taking any name, he said in Phulpur it was actually a fight between development and don. Singh opined that the SP will be on third spot in the by-polls. Singh, also the official spokesperson for the Yogi government, expressed these views at a press conference here on Monday.
Taking a dig at the BSP, the UP cabinet minister said the party which had snapped ties 25 years back with the SP on prestige issue was once again in support mode for saving the latter’s prestige.
Singh also said BSP supremo Mayawati should reveal the reason for such a move and whether the same was aimed at sending her brother to Rajya Sabha. He also wondered if she (Mayawati) was giving up her love for Dalits for the sake of her brother.
Talking about development work in the state, Singh said the UP government had ensured Rs 2300 crore from the Niti Ayog for Kumbh Mela 2019. He said the government had also allocated Rs 1500 crore for the mega religious event.
Referring to the announcement of defence corridor by PM Narendra Modi which will pass through Agra, Aligarh, Jhansi, Lucknow and Chitrakoot, the health minister said efforts were being made to extend the same to Naini which, he said, would improve economy of the district.
As per Singh, air services to 13 cities would commence from Allahabad for which four private airlines will begin operations soon.
Two independent corporators also joined the BJP.