Moradabad saw around 1,000 villages getting electricity after I became PM: Narendra Modi

Addressing a Parivartan rally in Moradabad on Saturday, PM Narendra Modi expressed his desire to eradicate poverty from Uttar Pradesh, saying that it would go a long way in addressing the menace in the country.

"I am an elected MP from this state and I have pledged to ensure this state is poverty-free. Everyone should have access to affordable medicine, housing and education. This is how we can bring a change and help the state prosper," Modi said at a rally which was filled to the brim.

He also took pot shots at the previous Congress-led governments for the lack of electrification in Moradabad.

"More than 1,000 villages in Moradabad didn't even have access to electricity. They were forced to living in the 18th century. I was shocked to hear when officials said that there were more than 18,000 villages which had no access to electricity.

He said UP can take a cue from Madhya Pradesh and MP is now known for development and agriculture.

"Madhya Pradesh was earlier considered a 'Beemaaru' state. But today, look how Madhya Pradesh has progressed.

Hard-sells demonetisation
Modi centred his pitch around the inconvenience caused due to demonetisation.

"We had to stand in queue to buy sugar and other essential commodities. Thanks to those who ruled for 60 years, this country was wasting away in queues," he said.

"What I have done is to start a queue to end all queues," he declared.

"Has this country not been held back by corruption? Does this corruption not need to be eradicated? Will this corruption go away on its own? Do we not need to root it out actively?" he asked the crowd. Each of these questions met with a loud 'yes' in response.

"When we started opening Jan Dhan accounts, poor people did not know how they would come of use. Are they of use now or not? Those who had hoarded black money are now running after the poor. They are making small talk and then asking the poor people to deposit two lakh rupees in their accounts," he said.

"Did they ever come to talk to poor people? But now, they keep circling the houses of the poor. Listen to me. If you have deposited money like this in your account, do not return it. Let the money sit in your account," Modi said.