After castigating the Opposition and putting Congress president Rahul Gandhi in the dock over his Congress is a Muslim party remark, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted the popular nature of his government’s developmental projects.

Rounding off his two-day tour to the eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP), Modi visited Mirzapur and inaugurated the Bansagar irrigation project— a joint venture between Bihar, Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh—aimed at expanding the irrigational facility for farmers.

Modi took on previous governments of Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP), who are also potential allies against the BJP in the upcoming general elections, for “stalling” developmental project.

“Since BJP-NDA government has come to power, developmental work in Purvanchal has accelerated and the results can be seen by everyone today. The previous governments did not care about farmers. The project had to be completed a long time ago, but 20 years were wasted in talks, promises,” said PM Modi.

Modi claimed the Bansagar project which initially was allocated Rs350crore had now run into Rs 3,500crore.

“Previous governments used to come up with incomplete projects and stall them. You are the people who have suffered through all of that. Had the Bansagar project been completed beforehand, you would have been benefitted by it a long time ago,” PM Modi added.

Addressing the crowd, Modi said, “The last time I came to Mirzapur for launching solar irrigation project, French President Emmanuel Macron was with me. He was very impressed with the country's rich tradition and culture.” The PM also praised UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for undertaking several mega projects.

Modi would also be laying the foundation stone of the Mirzapur Medical College later and inaugurate 108 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, apart from dedicating a bridge over Ganga at Balughat, Chunar, which would connect Mirzapur with Varanasi.