Gonda (UP), Nov 2 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday termed the Samajwadi Party a “shraap (curse)” for the state, alleging that whenever the party has come to power, it has only brought chaos.
Adityanath was speaking at a programme here, after launching 69 development projects worth over Rs 520 crore.
Lashing out at the Samajwadi Party, Adityanath said, “The biggest food-grain scam took place in Gonda during the Samajwadi Party government’s tenure. This party is a ‘shraap’ for Uttar Pradesh, and whenever it has come (to power), it has only ushered in chaos.”
“Today, development works are progressing swiftly in all 75 districts, 350 tehsils, 825 development blocks and 762 urban local bodies, and big schemes are being undertaken,” he said, adding that, earlier, development was restricted to a handful of locations such as Saifai — the native village of Samajwadi Party founder and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.
“Now, there is no discrimination in development. Electricity will not be supplied to only Rampur or Saifai, but also to Gonda, Bahraich and Balrampur.” The chief minister further said that free ration is being provided to the poor.
Drawing a comparison between the BJP and opposition parties, Adityanath said, “BJP means ‘asthaa’ (faith); we respect your faith, and ensure transformation of your lives. The Samajwadi Party and Congress stand for crime and misrule.”
He alleged that during the SP government’s tenure, erecting pandals for observance of Durga Puja was frequently mired in controversy, with permission for such activities often denied in the Devipatan division –comprising Gonda, Bahraich, Balrampur and Shravasti districts.
“If a follower of Sanatan traditions wished to worship Goddess Durga at home, a ‘SaPaai’ (an individual associated with Samajwadi Party) or a ‘kasaai’ (butcher) would lodge formal complaints against them. The Samajwadi Party government would then issue orders to halt the worship,” he alleged.
This Navaratri, “67,000 idols were installed across the state,” Adityanath asserted, adding that specifically regarding the Devipatan division, it was directed that no prior permission should be required for installation of idols.
He further alleged that the earlier SP government would prevent the Kanwar Yatra, and hurdles were created to hinder celebration of festivals.
“Uttar Pradesh is now free from curfews and riots,” the chief minister said. “In the past, disturbances would erupt during festivals, and the markets would remain deserted.”
Citing the events from November 2, 1990, Adityanath said, “During the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in Ayodhya, the erstwhile Samajwadi Party government ordered firing on devotees of Lord Ram.
Accusing the previous government of insensitivity, he said earlier, the media frequently reported deaths of children in Gonda, Balrampur and Bahraich due to an ‘unknown disease’.
“The government of that era placed no value on the lives of children from poor families. There were no schemes for the underprivileged. They considered it their birthright to play with the future of the youth,” Adityanath said.
Referring to examination malpractice, Adityanath claimed that previous governments had facilitated cheating rackets and stalled the establishment of universities. “Now, students here no longer resort to cheating; instead, they receive a quality education and join the mainstream of development,” he said.
Speaking about law and order in the state, the chief minister said funds and resources for development projects in Gaura, Mankapur, Gonda, Mehnaun, Karnalganj, or Katra are no longer hijacked as the mafia has been “reduced to dust”.
Robust arrangements have been made for the safety of daughters and traders, he added.
He further said funds are being provided for restoration, beautification and better connectivity of centres of faith, such as the Baba Prithvinath Temple, Swaminarayan Chhapiya, and the Varahi Devi Temple. “Previously, these funds were used to facilitate encroachment under the pretext of land for graveyards. Today, resources are being invested in the development of centres of faith,” he said. PTI NAV ARB
