Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched an all-out attack on BJP rivals for ignoring the “plight” of Muslim women in Uttar Pradesh in favour of voting seat politics.

“These people (hostile party leaders) are ignoring the biggest challenges in the lives of Muslim daughters,” he told a rally in Barabanki district on Wednesday.

“Because of their votes, these people (opposing parties) have ignored the mountain of difficulties in the lives of Muslim daughters. It is our government that freed these Muslim sisters from the vicious cycle of triple talaq,” he said in a statement on Sunday. Barabanki made a strong appeal to Muslim voters, especially women, ahead of the election.

The prime minister insisted it was the BJP that prioritized the safety and well-being of “our daughters”, saying his party’s “twin-engine” government ensured their “safety and dignity”.

“Promoting the safety and dignity of our daughters has always been a priority for the twin-engined government. So when you gave us the opportunity in 2014, we sincerely worked for it…” he said.

The prime minister cited an increase in the number of female police officers – from 110,000 to 225,000 – as evidence of the BJP government’s focus on protecting women.

The BJP is also looking to tap into women’s voices by highlighting the benefits of central government programmes such as Jan Dhan Yojana and Ujwala’s Culinary Cylinder Programme.

He said the BJP government was also working on a permanent solution to the problems of UP farmers.

“Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi has supported millions of small farmers like this. Our government is also trying to keep the needs of small farmers in mind,” the prime minister said as his party is in the midst of a campaign against farmers protesting. A state hit hard by the farm law is running for re-election.

The BJP claims that the agitation against the farm law – which was shut down last year as damage control following the Lakhimpur Kheri violence – did not resonate locally in the UP.

Farmer dissatisfaction with unpaid fees – such as those still owed by sugar cane farmers – is another key feature of all political party campaigns.

Last week, the prime minister gave assurances at a rally in Saharapur that the state government was working on a lasting solution and that “we (the BJP) are delivering on our promises”.

Voting for the fourth stage of the 2022 UP parliamentary elections begins today.

This phase will decide the fate of 624 candidates in 59 districts across nine districts, including Lakhimpur Kheri, Unnao, Lucknow and Congress stronghold Raebareli.

Voting for the remaining three phases will take place on February 27, March 3 and 7, with results to be announced on March 10.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times