Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Semi-bullet train along E-way soon: CM

Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma says terrorists involved in attacks in India were earlier served biryani. He also claimed BJP will get over 73 LS seats in UP

- HT Correspond­ent letters@hindustant­imes.com ▪

LUCKNOW : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday announced that the government was planning to run a semi-bullet train along the Poorvancha­l Expressway soon.

Yogi said his government brought down the cost of the under constructi­on Poorvancha­l Expressway despite increasing its width from 110 metres to 120 metres “to make way for the semi bullet train along the expressway.”

The chief minister was speaking after inaugurati­ng ‘Vikas Ke Path Par Uttar Pradesh (UP on the road to developmen­t)’ conclave organised by ‘Hindustan’ and ‘Hindustan Times’ at Indira Gandhi Pratishtha­n here.

Speaking on the Ayodhya issue, Yogi said the Supreme Court’s order for mediation to solve the Ram temple-Babri masjid dispute was a good move “if it could lead to finding a solution to the dispute. He said efforts for mediation had failed to yield any result in the past and Ram temple was an issue of faith and this should be respected.

“If mediation solves the issue, I will be the first one to welcome the same….If the SC feels the other party (Muslims) can find a solution to the dispute, it is good. But the country and world knows that this is an issue of faith and should be respected,” said Yogi.

Quoting attempts made in past to find a solution to the dispute, including the one made during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee as PM, Yogi said if mediation had worked, a solution to the issue could have been found by now. “There have been consistent attempts to find a solution and efforts for mediation have been made in the past. But when it comes to the issue of providing evidence, the Babri Masjid Action Committee and Sunni Waqf Board always run away from the negotiatin­g table,” said Yogi.

LUCKNOW :Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi knew how to hit back at those who targeted India.

Sharma was speaking at the conclave ‘Vikas ke Path Par Uttar Pradesh (UP on the road to developmen­t)’ organised by Hindustan and Hindustan Times.

“Earlier terrorists attacked us, ate biryani and went back. This time the PM wants to reply and hence there shall be no pigeon flying (across the border),” said Sharma.

“Why was no revenge taken when the Mumbai attack took place?” he asked.

He questioned the previous government­s’ attitude towards tackling cross-border terrorism and clarified that there have been no claims by the party (BJP) on how many were killed when the Indian Air Force struck a terror camp in Pakistan after the Pulwama attack and only the number of cell phones active in the target area were revealed.

“And if someone from among those seeking proof of what is done against terrorism, wants to count bodies, they can do so in Pakistan,” said energy minister Shrikant Sharma, who is also the state government’s spokespers­on.

Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma claimed the BJP will get over 73 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh while the energy minister predicted the party will win all 80 seats in the state.

Asked whether the Pulwama incident will make an impact on the Lok Sabha elections, the ministers denied it.

“Pulwama was a sad incident and it has no connection with the elections,” said Dinesh Sharma.

He said, “We have samarpan (dedication) towards our sena (army) but why are not people, who hug army officers of other countries, expelled by their party?”

GOVT’S ACHIEVEMEN­TS IN EDUCATION SECTOR

Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma spoke about the state government’s efforts in the education sector. Apart from making the exams copying free and introducin­g changes in the curriculum, the government had also ensured job-oriented courses, he said.

“If a candidate gets 70% or more in science, direct admission can be obtained in HCL where, they along with training get job opportunit­y and a chance to do further study,” he said.

 ?? HT ?? CM Yogi Adityanath speaking during a conclave organised by ‘Hindustan’ and ‘Hindustan Times in Lucknow on Saturday.
HT CM Yogi Adityanath speaking during a conclave organised by ‘Hindustan’ and ‘Hindustan Times in Lucknow on Saturday.
 ?? HT ?? ▪ Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma at the conclave on ‘UP on the road to developmen­t’ organised by Hindustan and Hindustan Times in Lucknow on Saturday.
HT ▪ Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma at the conclave on ‘UP on the road to developmen­t’ organised by Hindustan and Hindustan Times in Lucknow on Saturday.

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