Lucknow: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly and thanked him for deciding to spend Dussehra in Lucknow.
"Grateful for PM Modi that he chose to spend Dussehra in Lucknow. Lucknow represents the composite culture of our country. Lucknow was Vajpayee ji's karambhomi and my constituency. I welcome him," he said, while addressing the crowd at Aishbagh Ramleela Ground.
"PM dealt with corruption and raised the image of India all over the world," he added.
Yesterday, rejecting Opposition's charge, BJP had said that PM Modi's visit to Lucknow had no "politics" or "hidden agenda".
"There is no politics or hidden agenda behind the prime minister's visit to the historic Dussehra Mela at Aishbagh ground tomorrow," BJP national vice president and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma had said.BJP national vice president and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma had said.
"Ravan was the first terrorist and his effigy is burnt till this day... This is the feeling among countrymen, and the prime minister is coming here to commemorate it," he had added, as per PTI.
He had also said that it was a traditional event and was totally apolitical.
A patron of the Aishbagh Ramlila committee, Sharma had claimed that the committee had been sending invitations to Presidents and PMs but this was the first time a PM has accepted it.
Meanwhile, earlier yesterday, Akhilesh had said that PM Modi would have taken part in Ravan Vadh in Bihar had there been election there, while BSP president Mayawati had termed the visit as politically motivated.
(With Agency inputs)
