Indian PM pitches for development at mega rally in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh state

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched for development and poverty allevation as he addressed a mega political rally in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh Monday, which is to go to polls early next year.

"We want India to march ahead, want poverty to be eliminated, illiteracy to end, diseases to end. But all these dreams will be fulfilled only when the fortune of Uttar Pradesh is changed. For India to progress, UP has to progress," Modi said, uring people to vote for his Bharatiya Janata Party.

Accusing the two regional parties in the state -- ruling Samajwadi Party and the main opposition Bahujan Samaj Party -- of doing politics at the cost of development, he said that it pained him when he saw "how governments in the state have been functioning."

"Even for building a road, they first measure political considerations. Development is not their preference. They only know petty politics," the Prime Minister added.

Claiming that he had never seen such a huge rally, Modi said: "Never before have I seen such a massive audience, not even in my campaign for the 2014 general election. Give us a chance and you will see how things will change."

Uttar Pradesh is a huge state. And it's said that the party that wins the state in the assembly polls wins the next general election. So, results of the state assembly polls will not only indicate Modi's popularity but also whether he will get a second term in 2019 general elections. Endit