LUCKNOW, Oct. 2 -- Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "emptied the pockets" of those who siphoned off public money and ensured that welfare benefits reached the poor directly through bank accounts.

Addressing a programme at Lok Bhavan here, where a theatrical series titled "Namo Seva: Ankahi Kahaniyan" was staged to mark Modi's 25 years in public service, Yogi said the opposition had mocked the opening of Jan Dhan accounts, asking what purpose "empty accounts" would serve. "Today it is clear that the money of the poor is reaching their accounts directly," he said.

Yogi said Modi would complete 25 years in public service as Gujarat chief minister and Prime Minister on October 7, d...