Hitting back at CM Akhilesh Yadav over his donkey jibe, PM Narendra Modi said on Thursday that he took inspiration from the animal to work tirelessly for the people even under adverse conditions.

"Some people don't like the donkey. But we take care of donkeys in Gujarat in the manner we take care of lions," the PM said addressing an election rally in Bahraich, north-central UP.

"We could learn from the donkey as it obeys its master and complete its task even when tired, hungry or ill. I've taken inspiration from the donkey. My master are the 1.25 crore countrymen and I will work tirelessly 24 hours without taking a holiday for my master," Modi said.