UP CM Akhilesh Yadav takes a jibe at PM Modi

Lucknow: In an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said that there was immense potential for religious tourism in the state.

Talking to travel writers before inauguration of at second edition of Travel Writers Conclave the CM said, "yahan ke religious tourism potential ki kya bat kahein, kal ke bad yeh dunia ko bhi pata chal gaya hai. bade bade log yahan aten hain aur jai raam.... jai jai raam... jai siya raam kehte hain."

(What to talk about the religious tourism potential here.... the whole world knows it after yesterday's show... big wigs come to our land and hail jai raam... jai jai raam... jai siya raam).

On Tuesday, Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi had come to see the ramlila and ravan vadh at Aishbagh Ramlila Maidan. He began and ended his brief speech with

Jai Sri Raam

. The PM had also said that UP was the land of Rama and Krishna and there was so much to learn from here.

Stating that 2016 was the last year of his government, the CM urged travel writers to keep their interest in UP alive. The CM took credit for development of tourist facilities under his regime. "We are the only state in India to have a bicycle highway," he said. Akhilesh added that locals had benefitted from his efforts in tourism sector.

"I want to cite the example of Chambal, which was infamous for dacoits hidden in the ravines. Today, the place is a known ecotourism hub and is famous for safari. The change has increased tourist activity in the area which has benefited the people living around," he stated.

Organised by

Worldwide Media

Private Limited and state tourism department, the effort aims at promoting places of interest in and around Agra, Varanasi and Lucknow - the three destinations in

Heritage Arc

(the tourist corridor being developed by the UP government).

The itineraries, which span four days have been curated by Tornos, cover the length and breadth of the three cities that form the core of Uttar Pradesh's cultural heritage.

The participants would get to explore the various facets of the state, from food, heritage to wildlife, textiles and landscapes. The travels will culminate into a conclave on October 16.