PM Modi finds another critic of bullet train project in Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has found another critic of his bullet train project in former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who has questioned the feasibility of former's ambitious project.

Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that the country is facing several other serious issues which needs to be sorted out first.

"Will running a bullet train solve the problem of rising unemployment?" the Samajwadi Party leader told the media here.

"During campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in February-March, Modi pointed out time and again that all development had been taken to our native village Saifai. Now he should explain how a bullet train project has gone to poll-bound Gujarat," he said.

Also read: Shiv Sena criticises bullet train project, calls it an expensive dream

Elections for the 182-member Gujarat assembly would be held by the year-end.

"Now, it is for all to see where all the development is happening," the former Chief Minister said.

He also said it would have been better if the bullet train was run between metropolitan cities like Delhi and Kolkata which housed large populations.

The Samajwadi Party leader also slammed the state's Yogi Adityanath government over loan waiver for farmers.

As for Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi mentioning his name at Berkeleys University in the US while giving an example of dynastic politics in India, Akhilesh said he was a "friend" and had said so with a certain perspective.