Fake Samajwadis out to stop benefits for farmers: Modi

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the opposition of spreading rumours over MSP just as they had on Covid vaccines and said “fake Samajwadis” will corner the benefits given by the Centre to farmers and the poor if they come to power.

Addressing a virtual rally directed at western UP constituencies, Modi accused the Samajwadi Party of fielding anti-social elements in the assembly polls and urged people to keep “history-sheeters” out. Instead, he said, they should vote to create “a new history”.

This was the prime minister’s second virtual poll rally in recent days, and focused on 23 constituencies spread across Ghaziabad, Meerut, Hapur, Aligarh and Noida districts -- where farmers’ votes are crucial. The first phase of polling for the state assembly is on February 10. The prime minister asked people to come out in large numbers on polling day, and to “vote before you eat.” “Pehle matdaan, phir jalpaan,” he said in Hindi at the digital “ Jan Chaupal”. He said given the chance, the “fake Samajwadis” will stop the thousands of crores that farmers get as help from the Centre. “The fake Samajwadis will also stop the MSP (minimum support price) money which comes into the accounts of farmers,” he said.  (Agencies)