Akhilesh's dig at PM Modi, says 'whoever aspires to be PM of India, chooses UP'

Lucknow, Sep 26: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said he viewed the recent praise of his government by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "political move" for which he needed to stay careful.

Speaking at a conclave organised by a media house here, Yadav said the praise heaped on his government by Modi should only be seen through a political prism.

He also took pot shots at the prime minister, saying Uttar Pradesh's political significance lay in the fact that one who aspired to be the prime minister of India chose Varanasi to contest from during the Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking on the ongoing visit of Modi to the US, the chief minister said he hoped for a "return gift".

Yadav was referring to the multi-billion dollar purchase of helicopters that Modi cleared before embarking on the US visit.

Crediting his Uttar Pradesh government for major improvement in infrastructure in the state, Yadav claimed his government had fulfilled all the promises made in the Samajwadi Party's manifesto during 2012 state assembly polls.

IANS