Lucknow, March 16: BSP chief Mayawati claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent Rs 3044 crore on advertisements, adding that the lumpsum amount "could have been spent for providing education and health care facility in every village of backward state like Uttar Pradesh". "Prime Minister Modi remained busy in foundation ceremonies and have spent Rs 3044 Crore on advertisements.

This public money could have been used for providing education and hospital in every village of the backward state like Uttar Pradesh, but for BJP advertisement is more important while public welfare is not important" she tweeted. Lok Sabha Elections 2019: PM Narendra Modi Urges Supporters to Take 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' Pledge (Watch Video).

In a subsequent tweet, the BSP chief said: "The BJP and Prime Minister Modi are trying to bring the ghosts out of graves in order to hide the failures of their government and to divert the attention of the public from it and from the issues like poverty and unemployment so that these things cannot become election debate. The public should remain alert".

SP and BSP forged an alliance to take on BJP in the Lok Sabha elections.Uttar Pradesh will go to polls during all the 7 phases of election to be held on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Counting of votes will be done on May 23.