Shahjahanpur- Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of women’s reservation, raising questions about his position on women’s dignity. Addressing the media here, Mr. Rai alleged that while the Prime Minister speaks in favour of women’s reservation, he has failed to accord due respect to his own wife. “Respect for women begins at home and is reflected in how one treats one’s spouse,” he said. He also urged citizens to write to the Prime Minister and ask him to “give his wife a rightful place in his household.” Mr. Rai further claimed that Mr. Modi had contested Assembly elections on three occasions without mentioning his wife in his affidavits, and only acknowledged her in 2014 after public scrutiny. Accusing the government of selective governance, the Congress leader alleged that economic interests were being prioritised in religious centres. He claimed that people from Gujarat were benefiting financially from development works in Ayodhya and Varanasi. He added that similar attempts had been planned in Mathura but were resisted by local residents. Invoking religious sentiments, Mr. Rai said, “We are descendants of Lord Parashuram. May his blessings remain upon us. At a time when people across the country are distressed, may Lord Parashuram eliminate injustice.” He added that the government should develop and beautify places associated with the deity. Earlier in the day, Mr. Rai arrived in Shahjahanpur to participate in a Parashuram Jayanti programme, where he was welcomed by Congress workers at Ghantaghar. He later visited a temple in Jalalabad and offered prayers.