How much of the $3 trillion world tourism business will come to Agra, questions Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Questioning the Uttar Pradesh government for not having harnessed Agra's tourism potential BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the world tourism is estimated to cross $3 trillion. "Will Agra gain from this? I don't think so," Modi said.

"The reason why Agra will not gain is because of the mindset of those in the central government," Modi said. "Their priorities are wrong and they do not give emphasis to development," Modi said. "With Taj Mahal as a major international tourist attraction, should not an airport have been built in Agra," Modi asked.

Modi also accused the centre and state governments of passing the buck on to each other. Modi went on to say that Congress, BSP and SP all believe in indulging in vote-bank politics. "BSP and SP have been born out of the sins of Congress," he said.

"Those sitting in Lucknow do not know what the common men and women want," he said. "Congress has no interest in the development of the nation," he added. "Congress habit of vote bank politics has been learnt by other parties like SP BSP & they added their own colour to it. They are competing on vote bank politics," alleged Modi.

Modi also raked the issue of lack of electricity in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Addressing a rally in Agra he said, "The electricity problem persists due to lack of coal. The coal that has been eaten and stolen by the government at the centre," he mocked.

Accusing Congress leaders of being thick-skinned Modi said, "They do not see people as strength of the nation. India is not poor, it is Congress which has destroyed nation's wealth," he raged.