Lucknow, Aug 3 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said those raising questions on the handling of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya had earlier attempted to obstruct the temple’s construction, and slammed their “double standards”.
Talking to reporters before the commencement of the Monsoon Session of the state legislature, Adityanath also appealed to all MLAs to ensure a constructive discussion in the House and said the government had brought a supplementary budget aimed at strengthening welfare measures for various categories of frontline workers.
“The Ayodhya issue is being raised by those who had fired bullets at Ram devotees. They are the same people who used to resort to lathi-charge and firing when people raised the slogan of ‘Jai Shri Ram’,” the chief minister said without naming any party.
He alleged that those criticising the handling of donations for the Ram temple had earlier tried to stall the temple’s construction by “deploying an army of lawyers” in courts.
“They (opposition) talk about theft of donations meant for the Ram temple, but not a single penny for the temple’s construction came from their pockets. The country and the world are watching their double standards,” Adityanath said.
His remarks came amid opposition protests over the Ram temple donation issue during the opening day of the Monsoon session of the state legislature.
The chief minister said the government expects meaningful deliberations in the legislature and called upon members across party lines to contribute positively to the proceedings.
“I appeal to all honourable public representatives to maintain healthy discussion and debate in the House,” he said.
Referring to the supplementary budget, Adityanath said it included provisions to enhance financial support for Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, cooks engaged in government programmes and village chowkidars.
“The supplementary budget has been brought to ensure these workers receive a handsome honorarium and continue serving the interests of the state,” he said.
Expressing confidence that the legislature would function smoothly, the chief minister urged the opposition to move beyond “negative politics” and work together for the welfare of the state’s 25 crore people.
“I hope our opposition colleagues will give up negative politics, adopt a positive approach and contribute to Uttar Pradesh’s changed perception, development and prosperity,” he said.
Adityanath said the legislature serves as an important platform for conveying the concerns of the people to the government and administration, enabling elected representatives to raise issues affecting their constituencies and seek their resolution.
“The effective utilisation of this forum has always been a priority for the BJP-led government,” he said.
The chief minister also criticised the Samajwadi Party (SP) for staging a protest in the assembly complex ahead of the session.
“Those under whose rule farmers’ interests were undermined, who failed to provide irrigation water, allowed middlemen to dominate the agricultural sector and pushed farmers into distress are today claiming to champion their cause. Their double standards are before everyone,” he said.
Adityanath further claimed that his government had transformed perceptions about Uttar Pradesh, saying the state had emerged from the category of BIMARU states to become a revenue-surplus state and a major driver of economic growth.
The BIMARU acronym was used in the eighties to describe the backwardness of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
He also highlighted various welfare initiatives launched by the government for youth, women, farmers and traders, and reiterated that the government remained committed to the welfare and development of every section of society. PTI ABN DV
