BJP has not placed even a brick in the foundation of Kushinagar  airport, but now they have come to inaugurate the work initiated by the Samajwadi Party, said Akhilesh Yadav

LUCKNOW — Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday slammed the BJP for claiming the work of his government as its own after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Kushinagar International Airport and said that this was a ‘manifestation of decades of aspirations and efforts’.

“This was my commitment and we have fulfilled it. We lay special emphasis on linking Buddhist destinations, improving hospitality facilities and ensuring the comfort of tourists. This airport will not only serve tourists from India but also Buddhists from across the world, including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Cambodia and other countries,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister pointed out that other Buddhist destinations like Lumbini, Sarnath and Bodh Gaya were at a short distance from Kushinagar which added to the importance of the Buddhist circuit.

He said India had expanded its connectivity by increasing the number of airports and in the coming years, India would have 200 more airports.

Built at a cost of Rs 260 crore and spread over 3,600 square metres, the airport is crucial for religious tourism as Kushinagar is the place where Lord Buddha attained ‘Mahaparinirvana’. It is one of the four prominent Buddhist circuits. The airport will also serve nearby districts of Uttar Pradesh as well as Bihar.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Kushinagar was the ninth airport in the state and 11 more were nearing completion.

Meanwhile, former Uttar Pradesh chief Minister in a tweet said that BJP has not placed even a brick in the foundation but now they have come to inaugurate the work initiated by the Samajwadi Party.

“They (BJP) have not placed even a brick in the foundation but now they have come to inaugurate the work initiated by the Samajwadi Party. They have come with scissors, ribbons, garlands and sweets. BJP should remember that becoming a pilot does not make one the owner of the plane – more so if the runway you are using is on land that has been prepared by another,” he tweeted in Hindi.

Akhilesh has repeatedly been accusing the BJP of claiming credit for work initiated by his government. On more than one occasions, he has said that “Let them show me one project that they have initiated and completed.” — IANS