Oppn conspired to block 33% women quota, sparked ‘aadhi aabaadi’ anger: Yogi

Varanasi: Linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Varanasi to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said opposition parties conspired to block 33% reservation for women in Parliament and assemblies, sparking anger among ‘aadhi aabaadi’.Addressing the BJP’s Jan Aakrosh Mahila Sammelan, Yogi said: “The PM’s arrival here today is linked to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Over the past 11-12 years, the PM has led campaigns for women’s safety and dignity, along with beneficiary-oriented schemes. Now, as lawmakers, there was an effort to take a major step within a defined timeframe to grant women 33 per cent reservation in Parliament and state legislatures by 2019.”“However, a conspiracy by the opposition, including the Indian National Congress, Samajwadi Party and INDIA alliance, sought to block this move. As a result, there is visible anger among the country’s ‘aadhi aabaadi’ (women), reflecting a strong reaction against these attempts,” he said.Yogi said this sentiment is being expressed both as opposition to the negative attitude of these parties and as gratitude and support for the prime minister. It also shows that women across the country stand firmly with the Prime Minister’s vision.Addressing an audience of 50,000-strong women, Yogi said the prime minister has identified four key segments of society -- the poor, youth, women and farmers -- and aligned govt policies to ensure their economic empowerment, dignity, security and long-term development.Describing PM Modi as the "architect of new India", he said that it is the result of his vision and leadership that the country is moving towards a new era.Hailing PM Modi’s vision, Yogi said the country is continuously progressing and New India is not limited to material development alone, but is also imbibing the concept of holistic development.Elaborating development works in Kashi under the leadership PM Modi, he said: “Today, Kashi has become a centre of attraction for the world. Kashi Vishwanath has been seen as the focal point of consciousness. Development projects worth Rs 35,000 crore have been completed in Varanasi, while other works worth Rs 20,000 crore are currently underway.”He added that the PM has come today to dedicate and lay the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 6,330 crore, giving a fresh boost to Varanasi’s development, along with addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan.Highlighting Varanasi’s significance, the chief minister said the city has been India’s spiritual and cultural centre since ancient times and has now emerged as a global attraction. He cited the redevelopment of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham as an example of the blend of heritage and development.“Varanasi, which has preserved India’s civilisational ethos, is now visible to the world in a new form,” he said.