PM Modi ‘single-handedly destroyed’ PSUs, alleges Sidhu

Strap: Challenges PM Modi For Debate, Says ‘Will Quit Politics If Defeated’

Bijnor: Cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “single-handedly destroying” Public Sector Companies (

PSU

) in connivance with a few private sector giants. Sidhu also challenged Prime Minister Modi for a debate and pledged to “quit politics if defeated”.

The Congress leader was in Bijnor’s Afzalgarh to seek support for party’s Moradabad candidate

Imran Pratapgarhi

. “He (Narendra Modi) is not Prime Minister of the poor, but of the rich,” he said.

The former Indian opener asked the people to vote out the BJP government.

Known for his humour-laced oratory, he said, “In my youth, I used to slam the ball out of the ground. Now, you have to slam both Modi and Yogi Adityanath out of the boundary of UP. If Congress comes to power after Lok Sabha polls, Rs 72,000 will be given to each poor. Rahul Gandhi fulfils what he promises. He is not a liar like others. In Chhattisgarh, Congress waived off loan of the farmers within hours after assuming power."

Congress had initially fielded party’s UP chief Raj Babbar from Moradabad seat. But, later, Babbar was shifted to Fatehpur Sikri and poet Imran Pratapgarhi took his place.

Congress is leaving no stone unturned to clinch a victory. However, BJP candidate and sitting MP Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar Singh is hoping to gain from division of Muslim votes as both the candidates fielded by Congress and the alliance are from the community.

SP-BSP-RLD alliance has fielded local doctor ST Hasan.

Moradabad constituency

comprises of five assembly segments-- Moradabad City, Moradabad Rural, Kanth, Barhapur and Thakurdwara. The constituency is also home to Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi.

Former Indian skipper Azaharuddin had won this seat in 2009 on Congress ticket.