Narendra Modi visits Chandrashekar Azad's village

Bhabhra (MP), Aug 9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited Chandrashekhar Azad's birthplace here in the tribal-dominated Alirajpur district and paid rich tributes to the revolutionary leader.

Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit the birthplace of Azad, Madhya Pradesh minister Vishwas Sarang said.

The PM paid floral tributes at the statue of Azad at his birthplace, known as 'Azad Kutia'. Bhabhra was rechristened as Chandrashekhar Azad Nagar by the BJP government in memory of the revolutionary leader.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, also visited an exhibition based on Azad's life.

Later in the day, Modi will launch a campaign '70, Azaadi Yaad Karo Qurbani' on the occasion at Jothrada, about 7km from Bhabhra, and address a meeting.

Earlier, the Chief Minister welcomed Modi at Indore airport on his arrival from Delhi. Then Modi, along with Chouhan, went to Bhabhra in an IAF helicopter where he was welcomed by state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan, Women and Child Development Minister Archana Chitnis and Minister of State for Cooperatives (Independent Charge) Vishwas Sarang, among others.

PTI