Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 5 (ANI): Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that India handled the COVID-19 pandemic better than developed nations, including the United States of America.

"The way India dealt with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic is unmatched even by developed nations like the US. No other nation has vaccinated its citizens with the speed that India could do in a short span of time," said Singh, while addressing a rally in the Kheragarh area of Agra district of Uttar Pradesh.

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Singh called upon the people to "reject politics of appeasement and religion."

Earlier in the day, Singh slammed the Samajwadi Party for indulging in "politics of appeasement". He asserted that "the BJP alone can take Uttar Pradesh on the path of development".

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"The Samajwadi Party does politics of appeasement. Politics should be done for the welfare and development of people, and not merely for forming the government. Politics should not be based on caste or creed. The SP is doing religion and caste-based politics," Singh said.

Noting that "what the BJP promised (before the polls) has been fulfilled", the Defence Minister said, "The development of new India is possible with the progress of UP. The BJP alone can take UP on the path of development."

Polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, February 14, February 20, February 23, February 27, March 3 and March 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)