Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, today said that the BJP did not believe in vote bank politics as the country was above party politics.
In his address to farmers in Varanasi's Shahanshahpur after inaugurating the Pashudhan Arogya Mela, the prime minister said, "Governance for us is not about votes or winning elections. The priority is the development of the nation. For us, the country is bigger than party."
The prime minister even congratulated the Uttar Pradesh government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his work and for holding the Pashudhan Arogya Mela. "I want to congratulate the Uttar Pradesh government and Yogi Adityanath for holding the Pashudhan Arogya Mela," he said.
The prime minister urged the people to also ensure that the mission for cleanliness gets their support.
He said it was his good fortune to lay the foundation stone of a public toilet in Shahanshahpur village "because sanitation is also a kind of worship for me.
"It will rid the poor of my country of various diseases and the economic burden due to those diseases that result from dirty surroundings. Hundreds of diseases come knocking at your doorsteps because of lack of hygiene," Modi said.
He quoted a UNICEF report that each household in India which does not have a toilet spend around Rs 50,000 a year on treatment for different ailments. "It is the responsibility of every citizen and every family to keep their surroundings clean so we are able to build clean villages, clean cities and a clean nation," Modi said.
The prime minister urged the people to take cleanliness not only as a mission but also turn into a habit for everyone.
By 2022, every poor, whether in urban or rural area, will get a home
Referring to his government's housing scheme, Modi said he wanted every one in the country to have a roof over their head when in 2022 India completes 75 years of independence.
He said he realised that it was an onerous task but he would be the man doing it. "I know it is difficult. But if Modi cannot do the difficult job who else will."
He added that those homes - crores in number - would need bricks, cement, iron and wood, and would create several employment opportunities.
He also informed the gathering that small initiatives like switching of Varanasi street lights to LED bulbs had saved Rs 13 crore in electricity bill for the municipal corporation.
Modi even added the government's resolution was to double the farmer's income by 2020.
PM MODI ADDRESSED FARMERS IN VARANASI: HIGHLIGHTS
11:00 am: 'Swachhta' has to become 'Swabhav', its our collective responsibility, a cleaner India will also be a healthier India.
10:55 am: A survey reveals that the construction of toilets in homes help people keep away from diseases.
10:54 am: Agriculture and the development of farmers is one of the best ways to progress.
10:53 am: Cleanliness important for our health.
10:40 am: I want to compliment Uttar Pradesh Government especially CM Adityanath for organising the Pashudhan Arogya Mela.
10:37 am: Our aim is to double our farmers income by 2020.
10:35 am: For us, governance is not about politics or winning elections. The priority is the well being of the nation.
10:34 am: Betterment of farmers our top agenda.
10:33 am: Few parties only work for votes.
10:30 am: Want to congratulate people of Uttar Pradesh.
10:25 am: I am grateful that I got the opportunity to lay the foundation for toilet under Swachh Bharat in Shahanshahpur.
9:52 am: PM Modi lays foundation for toilet under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Shahanshahpur.
9:50 am: The prime minister inaugurates Pashu Arogya Mela.
