Lucknow:

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Uttar Pradesh over the alleged encounters state, saying a “pattern has been set”.

In a post on X, the SP chief said, “A pattern of encounters has been set under BJP rule: pick someone first, then make up a story of a fake encounter, then show fake pictures to the world, then after the murder, when the family members tell the truth, pressurise them with various kinds of pressure and temptations….”.

“…The more the BJP with its forces tries to prove such encounters to be true, the bigger lie that encounter actually is. BJP carried out the encounter of truth itself,” he added.

भाजपा राज में एनकाउंटर का एक पैटर्न सेट हो गया है :

– पहले किसी को उठाओ
– फिर झूठी मुठभेड़ की कहानी बनाओ
– ⁠फिर दुनिया को झूठी तस्वीरें दिखाओ
– ⁠फिर हत्या के बाद परिवारवालों द्वारा सच बताये जाने पर तरह-तरह के दबाव व प्रलोभन से उन्हें दबाओ
– ⁠विपक्षी राजनीतिक दलों द्वारा…

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) September 11, 2024

Congress has also slammed the BJP government over alleged encounters in the state.

“The encounter of Mangesh Yadav in Sultanpur has once again proved that the BJP does not believe in the ‘Rule of Law’. Professional forces like STF are being run like ‘criminal gangs’ under the BJP government, the silence of the Central government on this is their clear agreement on this ‘thoko policy’. Dozens of encounters of UP STF are under question. Has any action been taken against any of those officers till date? After all, who is saving them and why.

Touching the Constitution in front of cameras is just a pretence when your own governments are openly tearing it to pieces,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X on September 8.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had last week slammed Samajwadi Party leaders over their allegations.

“You see, when a mafia or a dacoit is killed in a police encounter, it’s as if the police have touched a sensitive nerve, and they start crying out. Tell me, if a dacoit, who was killed in an encounter, had been left to continue his crimes. Could the Samajwadi Party have brought those lives back? During the SP government, police used to run while the goons used to chase them. Today, their roles have been reversed.

The mafia is running, police are chasing,” the Chief Minister said.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati earlier hit out at both the BJP and the Samajwadi Party and warned the people to be “cautious of the drama” and said that “no fake encounters” took place during BSP rule in Uttar Pradesh.

“After the encounter incident in Sultanpur district of UP, the BJP and SP are blaming each other for law and order and are doing politics forcefully in the name of crime, criminals and caste, while in this case both they are chor chor mausera bhai’. That is, like the BJP, the law and order situation was many times worse in the SP government. People have not forgotten that the SP goons and mafia used to rob and beat up Dalits, other backward classes, the poor and businessmen in broad daylight,” Mayawati said in a post on X.

She further said that the law was in place only under the rule of the BSP and warned the people to be cautious of the drama of rule of law by BJP and SP.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Yogi Adityanath and Akhilesh Yadav traded ‘bulldozer’ barbs this week after the Samajwadi Party leader’s jibe Tuesday about re-directing heavy earth-movers – the symbol of ‘justice’ meted out by BJP-ruled states, where bulldozers illegally wreck property belonging to accused in criminal cases – to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s home district of Gorakhpur after the 2027 state election.

The retort came Wednesday. Only people with a “bulldozer-like capability” could operate the machines, Yogi Adityanath said, “Not everyone’s hands can fit… it requires both heart and mind.”

He also swiped at his rival’s ‘Tipu’ sobriquet; “… now ‘Tipu’ is trying to become a ‘sultan’,” he said at a private event in Lucknow, referring to the 18th century ruler of the former Kingdom of Mysore – a figure at the centre of the BJP’s Hindu vs Muslim narrative before last year’s Karnataka election.

The Chief Minister also called Mr Yadav’s chances of winning the ’27 UP poll a “daydream”, and accused his predecessor and his uncle, Shivpal Yadav, of extorting money during his term.

The counter (to the counter) was fired within hours. On X Mr Yadav posted: “If you and your bulldozer are so successful, form a separate party and contest elections with a bulldozer as the symbol.”

“Your illusions and pride will be shattered…” Mr Yadav chuckled online, predicting defeat for Yogi Adityanath, who is widely seen as one of the most powerful figures within the BJP and even a potential prime ministerial candidate. That possible elevation, however, was dismissed by Mr Yadav.

अगर आप और आपका बुलडोज़र इतना ही सफल है तो अलग पार्टी बनाकर ‘बुलडोज़र’ चुनाव चिन्ह लेकर चुनाव लड़ जाइए। आपका भ्रम भी टूट जाएगा और घमंड भी। वैसे भी आपके जो हालात हैं, उसमें आप भाजपा में होते हुए भी ‘नहीं’ के बराबर ही हैं, अलग पार्टी तो आपको आज नहीं तो कल बनानी ही पड़ेगी।

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) September 4, 2024

“… in your current situation, even if you are in the BJP, it (a tilt at the Prime Minister’s post) is as good as a ‘no’,” he said, “You will have to form a separate party… if not today then tomorrow.”

Yadav Kickstarts Bulldozer Battle

The squabble broke after Mr Yadav’s gibe Tuesday.

“As soon as BJP is wiped out (in UP after the Assembly election) and the Samajwadi government is formed, the bulldozers of the entire state will head towards Gorakhpur,” the opposition leader said.

READ | “How Can House Be Demolished…” Court On ‘Bulldozer Justice’

Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘bulldozer’ digs came hours after a key observation by the Supreme Court.

The court questioned the idea of ‘bulldozer justice’ and wanted to know how a building could be demolished simply because it belongs to an accused, or even a convict, in a criminal case.

The observation was significant given the frequency with which BJP-ruled states bulldozed buildings of individuals accused in criminal cases; recent examples cited in court included the demolition a home in Rajasthan’s Jaipur because the owner’s son had stabbed a classmate. A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan took a dim view of the controversial practice.

“Is Land For His Residence Approved?” Yadav’s Jibe

This afternoon Mr Yadav followed up Tuesday’s jab with a pointed question at the Uttar Pradesh government, demanding an apology from the state for houses and buildings bulldozed till now, and suggested the BJP change its name to Bhartiya Jogi Party. “When so many names (of cities and towns in UP) have been changed, then Chief Minister should change name of Bhartiya Janata Party too…”

Akhilesh Yadav also threw in a cheeky side-swipe by asking the Chief Minister if the land on which his home has been built meets regulatory requirements. “The people who scared others away with bulldozers… who demolished others houses… tell me, is the land for his residence approved?”

“You deliberately ran the bulldozer over (buildings belonging to) people from whom you wanted to revenge… to humiliate them. But the Supreme Court has said a bulldozer cannot be used…”

“So, will the government apologise for bulldozer ops going on till now or not?”

With input from agencies

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

Lucknow:

Amid the buzz over a social media post by Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, main Opposition Samajwadi Party’s leader Akhilesh Yadav today said the people of Uttar Pradesh are fed up with infighting within the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government. In a sharp response, Mr Maurya stressed that the BJP has strong governments and organisation at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh and the Samajwadi Party has no chance of a comeback.  

This comes against the backdrop of a remark by the Deputy Chief Minister that triggered speculation that all is not well within the Uttar Pradesh government. The BJP, however, has trashed this buzz. “The organisation is bigger than the government. No one is bigger than the organisation,” Mr Maurya said at a meeting of the state BJP working committee on Sunday. The remark, which following Mr Maurya’s meeting with BJP president JP Nadda, was widely seen as a veiled swipe at Mr Adityanath. 

“There is infighting in the government. BJP leaders are fighting among themselves. The people know about the corruption and are fed up with the game of thrones,” Mr Yadav said at a party event.

The Samajwadi Party chief had earlier said that the administration had been put on the back burner as the state’s BJP leaders compete with each other. “The BJP, which engineered splits in other parties, is now doing the same within. This is why it is sinking in the quicksand of infighting. There is no one in the BJP to think for the people,” he had said in a post on X.

On the buzz surrounding Mr Maurya’s remark, Akhilesh Yadav said the BJP “wants to stand with those who lost”. Mr Maurya, a former UP BJP chief, lost the 2022 Assembly election but was retained as Deputy Chief Minister. He is now a member of the legislative council.

Responding to the Samajwadi Party chief, Mr Maurya tweeted this afternoon that the BJP’s governments and organisation in the country and the state are strong. “The return of SP’s reign of goons in UP is impossible. BJP will repeat 2017 in the 2027 state polls,” he posted on X. Significantly, Mr Maurya was state BJP chief in 2017 and the BJP had scored a thumping win in that election. 

Speaking at the BJP state leaders’ meet, Mr Adityanath had said “overconfidence” cost the BJP dearly in the recently-held Lok Sabha election. The results of Uttar Pradesh came as a rude shock to the BJP in this general election, its score dropping from 62 in 2019 to 33 this time. The Samajwadi Party made huge gains to bag 37 seats.

“The percentage of votes that was in favour of BJP in 2014 and subsequent elections, BJP has been successful in getting the same number of votes in 2024 as well, but the shifting of votes and overconfidence have hurt our expectations,” Mr Adityanath said, calling upon party workers to step up preparations for the upcoming bypolls in 10 Assembly seats.

Mr Yadav said he was confident of a good show by the Samajwadi Party in the bypolls, the date of which has not been announced yet.  

On the upcoming state budget, Mr Yadav said, “The Centre says we are the fifth-largest economy globally. And UP talks about a 1 trillion dollar economy. The state government should tell us how much the Centre has helped in this case. The government in Delhi must put out the per capita income, if we become the third-largest economy, will we be able to match per capital income in developed countries?”

The Congress, meanwhile, has drawn a Kalyan Singh parallel. “I have an experience of 44 years in UP… The same thing is happening now when Kalyan Singh was removed by the BJP and only time will tell if there is another Kalyan Singh or if Kalyan Singh can overpower. We will have to wait and see why all this is happening. But one thing is sure: the honest BJP workers are really sad inside,” Congress leader Pramod Tiwari has said, according to news agency ANI.

The BJP has downplayed the issue. Union Minister BL Verma said there is no infighting in Uttar Pradesh. “The government and the organisation are doing their work. The organisation and the government compliment each other,” he said.

Lucknow:

Top BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh will meet this morning to review preparations for the upcoming by-elections to 10 assembly seats, the first polls in the state after a sharp drop in the ruling party’s tally in the recent Lok Sabha election.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called a meeting of the cabinet ministers at 11 am at his Lucknow residence. The meeting assumes significance as the BJP has been assessing its electoral strategies in view of the unsatisfactory results in the Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP won just 33 of UP’s 80 Lok Sabha seats – behind main rival Samajwadi Party’s 37 – despite bagging a whopping majority in the 2022 assembly elections.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya met BJP chief J P Nadda last evening. He left the BJP headquarters without speaking to the media.

Reports suggest Mr Nadda may also meet UP BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, but there has been no official word on the meeting’s agenda.

Mr Adityanath had at a conclave blamed “over-confidence” for the poor electoral performance in the Lok Sabha elections and suggested the BJP could not effectively counter the INDIA bloc’s campaign. Mr Nadda was present at the conclave.

Not just in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP saw an overall drop in seats as it failed to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

To discuss its performance, the party has called all its chief ministers and their deputies to Delhi at the end of this month. Modi 3.0’s first budget and the action plan for the first 100 days will also be discussed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP chief JP Nadda are among the senior BJP leaders set to attend the meeting.

Lucknow:

After 116 people lost their lives in a stampede incident at a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras on Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unequivocally said that whether this is an accident or a conspiracy, the government will get to the bottom of it and will give appropriate punishment to the people responsible.

Chief Minister Yogi told ANI that the police along with the state ministers are at the spot.

“PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the bereaved families. The Government of India and the state government have also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the families of the seriously injured. The state government will get to the bottom of this entire incident, whether this is an accident or a conspiracy, we will get to the bottom of it,” he said.

“Doing politics instead of expressing condolences on such an incident is extremely unfortunate and condemnable. The government is already sensitive in this matter and the government will get to the bottom of this matter and give appropriate punishment to the conspirators and those responsible for this incident,” he emphasized further.

Further, the UP Chief Minister said that a team has been formed to investigate the matter.

“The incident is extremely sad and heart-wrenching. Local organizers had organized a program of ‘Bhole Baba’. After the program, when the preacher of the Satsang was coming down from the stage, suddenly a crowd of devotees started going towards him to touch him and when the ‘sevadars’ stopped them, this accident happened there. To investigate this entire matter, we have formed a team under the chairmanship of Additional DG Agra and have asked them to give a detailed report,” he said.

“Given the incident, the Chief Secretary and DGP of the state are camping there. Three ministers of the state government Chaudhary Laxmi Narayan, Sandeep Singh, Asim Arun, all three of them are at the spot,” Yogi Adityanath added.

Aligarh Commissioner Chaitra V informed that 116 people died in the incident.

“116 people have been confirmed dead. 18 people are injured. Treatment is being ensured for the injured in Aligarh district. Primary investigation is being carried out,” she said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lucknow:

Slamming Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his “retirement at 75 years of age” remark on Prime Minister Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that knowing their defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, desperate opposition making futile attempts.

Earlier, Kejriwal claimed that PM Modi after turning 75 next year will make way for Home Minister Amit Shah and also alleged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be left out in the cold after the general elections.

In his post on X, CM Yogi said, “The entire propaganda of the opposition has failed in the face of the immense public support that the honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji is receiving from East to West and North to South. Knowing that its defeat in the Lok Sabha elections is certain, the desperate opposition is making futile attempts to launch a pseudo-attack by using the excuse of Modiji’s age. The people of India know that every moment of Modiji is dedicated to taking Mother India to the ultimate glory.”

Further, he asserted that the people of India know that every moment of Modi ji is dedicated to taking Mother India to the ultimate glory.

“Under the successful leadership of respected Prime Minister Modi ji, the concepts of ‘Viksit Bharat, Aatmnirbhar Bharat and Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat’ are being realised. Certainly, in the third term of Modi ji, India will touch new heights towards becoming a global superpower. Modi Ji is the accepted leader of 140 crore Indians and our guardian. We are proud that we are Modi Ji’s family members,” CM Yogi Adityanath said.

Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal claimed that PM Modi is making way for Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be left out in the cold after the general elections.

“These people ask the INDIA alliance who will be their prime minister. I ask the BJP, Who will be your Prime Minister? PM Modi is turning 75 on September 17. He made a rule that leaders in the party would retire after 75 years. LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan, and Yashwant Sinha were retired and now PM Modi is going to retire,” CM Kejriwal said.

“If their government is formed, they will first dispose of Yogi Adityanath and then make Amit Shah the Prime Minister of the country. PM Modi is asking for votes for Amit Shah. Will Amit Shah fulfil Modi’s guarantee?” he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Begusarai:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday dubbed the Congress-led opposition as “Ram drohis” who stood for “division of the country on religious lines” by promoting “cow slaughter” and granting reservations to Muslims.

The senior BJP leader made the remarks at a rally in Bihar’s Begusarai Lok Sabha seat, which Union minister Giriraj Singh seeks to retain.

“The ongoing elections are a choice between Ram bhakts and Ram drohis”, said the pontiff of Gorakkshdham shrine, who made the crowd chant “Jo Ram ko laaye hain, hum unko laaye hain”.

“I come from the land of Lord Ram. I know that the temple for Ayodhya has a special place in the hearts of people of Bihar, which is the birthplace of Goddess Sita”, said Yogi.

Without naming Samajwadi Party, a Congress ally and BJP’s principal opponent in UP, he said, “Ram drohis include those who got bullets fired on Ram bhaktis, mourned the deaths of mafia dons”.

The allusion was to police firing on ‘kar sevaks’ in the 1980s when SP founder late Mulayam Singh Yadav was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, besides the killing of Atiq Ahmed in presence of police personnel and death, while in jail, of Mukhtar Ansari.

Blaming RJD-Congress for the lawlessness in Bihar before the NDA assumed power, Yogi alleged, “they have come up with a plan to divide the country on religious lines, by giving reservations to Muslims, betraying the mandate of Baba Saheb Ambedkar”.

“Where will our dalits and OBCs go if quotas meant for them are diverted elsewhere”, Yogi asked, adding, “the Congress had started the conspiracy while in power by constituting the Sachar committee”.

He also alleged that the Congress, in its manifesto, has promised “minorities the right to have food of their choice” and said “Hindus’ dietary habits are similar to those of other communities”.

“But there is one point of difference. Hindus cannot permit cow slaughter and consumption of its meat. We must oppose those who want to promote these things”, said the UP Chief Minister.

He also urged the people to vote for NDA and ensure return to power of Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose “strong” rule, “cross border terrorism has been wiped out and a tremulous Pakistan ends up distancing itself from every explosion on Indian soil, even if it is a burst of crackers”.

“India has entered digital age. Bihar must not allow RJD and Congress to make a regression to the lantern age”, said Yogi, referring to the RJD’s poll symbol.

“In my state, we will ensure that the NDA win all 80 seats. I hope that Bihar, too, will witness a similar clean sweep”, added the UP strongman, nicknamed ‘bulldozer baba’ in political lexicon, who also paid tributes to legendary Hindi poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, who hailed from Begusarai.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kannauj/Kanpur:

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday claimed that Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav jumped into the poll fray, when the INDIA bloc could not find a candidate for Kannauj.

Addressing an election rally in Kannauj, Adityanath alleged that they gave a ticket to the first candidate but it was withdrawn.

“The second candidate left the poll fray. The third candidate refused to contest the polls. When they could not find a candidate for Kannauj, the SP chief said he wanted to serve the people,” Adityanath claimed.

He said that Uttar Pradesh had become a hub for riots and the previous chief minister would invite the rioters to his residence and eulogise them.

Adityanath attacked the INDIA bloc and said when they could not find a candidate for the Kannauj constituency, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav jumped into the fray.

“But, now you are watching how the new Uttar Pradesh of new India deals with the rioters and those imposing curfew”.

Adityanath was campaigning for the BJP candidate from Kannauj Subrat Pathak. He said that in the new India, there is security, welfare of the poor, development, respect for heritage and faith.

“SP used to open fire on Ram devotees, withdrew the cases against terrorists and the BJP built Ram temple. You have elected the government of the BJP in Delhi and Lucknow. With your contribution, a grand Ram temple has been built in Ayodhya after 500 years. After all this time, Prabhu Ram played Holi at his birthplace, celebrated Ram Navami and did Surya Tilak. This world was blessed to see the new Ayodhya. We also saw the hopes and dreams of our ancestors being fulfilled before our eyes,” Adityanath said.

He alleged that ‘Ramdrohis’ are conspiring against India and its people.

“Ram devotees want to create a new history with Modi ji’s government. Ram devotees want to make India the world’s biggest power, developed, self-reliant and happy and we will become that under the leadership of Modi ji in Delhi,” he said.

“Under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh will play its role as the growth engine of India’s economy,” he added.

In Kanpur, Adityanath said that if the INDIA bloc comes to power, the era of terrorism and Naxalism will return to the country.

“The Congress, which spreads the fear of constitutional amendment, was the first to trample upon the freedom of expression by amending the Constitution,” he said.

Taking a jibe at the Samajwadi Party, the UP chief minister said that their agenda was not to develop Ayodhya but rather to withdraw the cases against the terrorists who attacked the city.

Hitting out at the INDIA bloc, Adityanath said, “INDI alliance is losing its credibility due to negative politics. They are worried about the interests of Pakistan. They are not worried about solving the problem of terrorism and Naxalism, but about withdrawing the cases filed against terrorists. Their concern was that no matter what happens, Ram temple should not be built in Ayodhya.”

Kannauj and Kanpur will go to the polls on May 13 in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lucknow:

In line with his allegiance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Panch Pran’ (five pledges), which include removing vestiges of slavery from the face of India and respecting heritage among others, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has dropped a hint about changing the name of Akbarpur.

“Uttering the name of the city leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Rest assured, all these things will change. We must eradicate all remnants of colonialism from our nation and honour our heritage,” the chief minister said, according to an official release.

Beyond Akbarpur, changing the names of numerous districts within the state has been considered, including Aligarh, Azamgarh, Shahjahanpur, Ghaziabad, Firozabad, Farrukhabad, and Moradabad.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, after assuming office in 2017, has embarked on a mission to eradicate symbols of historical subjugation.

This endeavour has seen numerous roads, parks, intersections, and buildings in the state christened in the honour of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

In Lucknow alone, one can traverse Atal Bihari Vajpayee Road, navigate through Atal Chauraha, access the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Conference Centre, cross Atal Setu, and arrive at Atal Bihari Kalyan Mandap.

Additionally, the iconic Mughalsarai railway station, the fourth busiest junction in the country, underwent a name change to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction.

Just before the 2019 Kumbh Mela, the state government rechristened Allahabad to Prayagraj, a move rooted in reclaiming the city’s historical identity.

Saints contend that the original name of this historic locale was Prayagraj, which the Mughals altered to ‘Allahabad’.

Concurrently, Faizabad was renamed Ayodhya, and the Jhansi railway station was also renamed after Rani Lakshmi Bai.

Recently, the municipal bodies of Aligarh passed a resolution demanding the city’s renaming to Harigarh, while Firozabad was proposed to be renamed Chandra Nagar.

A similar proposal was also made in Mainpuri, where a demand was made to change the district’s name to Mayapuri.

Minister of State for Secondary Education Gulab Devi has demanded that the name of her home district, Sambhal, be changed to Prithviraj Nagar or Kalki Nagar. Former BJP MLA Devmani Dwivedi demanded that the Sultanpur district name be changed to Kushbhawanpur. This city was founded by Kush, son of Lord Rama. BJP MLA from Deoband assembly seat of Saharanpur, Brajesh Singh, has also demanded that Deoband be changed to Devvrind.

Deoband is known for the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom, but it is claimed that the place has been referred to as Devvrind in ancient Hindu scriptures.

Similarly, Alka Rai, former BJP MLA from the Mohammadabad seat of Ghazipur, has demanded that the name of Ghazipur be changed to Gadhipuri.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Gorakhpur:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleged on Thursday that the previous UPA government at the centre tried to reduce reservations for the OBC, SC and ST communities by providing quotas to Muslims. But the attempt has not succeeded because of the BJP’s protest, he added.

“As UPA chairperson from 2004 to 2014, Sonia Gandhi constituted Justice Ranganath Mishra’s committee to put a dent in the OBC reservation and the committee had recommended that 6% of the OBC reservation should be given to Muslims,” Mr Adityanath told ANI.

“BJP and NDA had protested at that time; their plans could not be fulfilled, and then these people also tried to intrude on the rights of SC, ST and that in the Sachar Committee Report, some castes of Muslims should be included in the Scheduled Castes. The Congress manifesto is divisive. The plans of Congress will not be fulfilled and at least Sonia Gandhi should develop the habit of speaking the truth,” he added.

Reacting to the Congress’s allegation that the BJP is indulging in divisive politics, he accused the Congress of pursuing a ‘divide and rule’ policy.

“…’Ulta chor kotwaal ko daante’. Everyone is aware that ‘divide and rule’ has been inherited by the Congress party. Congress allowed the devious ploy of the British to partition the country,” Mr Adityanath said.

Earlier in the day, while addressing an election rally for the Akbarpur Lok Sabha seat in Kanpur, he said that the election is between ‘Ram Bhakts’ and ‘Ramdrohis’.

He further said that after the end of three phases of Lok Sabha elections, only the slogan of ‘Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar, Abki Baar 400 Paar’ is echoing across the country.

“When they fail to comprehend anything, they resort to conspiracies against India. Statements from opposition parties indicate that these elections are between ‘Ram Bhakts’ and ‘Ramdrohis’. Those who are ‘Ram Bhakts’ are also ‘Rashtra Bhakts’ of the nation,” he said.

The UP CM urged voters to vote in favour of BJP candidate Devendra Singh Bhole. CM Yogi expressed that the mere mention of the name ‘Akbarpur’ often “evokes hesitation.”

“All of this will change. We must put an end to the signs of slavery and honour our heritage. This region needs to be integrated with the mainstream of development. To achieve this goal, active participation through voting in the ongoing national campaign is essential,” the Chief Minister added.

He stated that it is an “eternal truth” that ‘Ramdrohis’ have always met their downfall and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will confirm this truth.

He emphasized, “This is not merely an election to form a government. On one hand, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the country is being established as a new and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while on the other hand, ‘Ramdrohis’ are working to divide us based on caste and regional identities.”

“Terrorists are being glorified, and mafias are encouraged. There is a conspiracy underway to grant the rights of Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and Backward Castes to minorities,” he added.

Attacking the opposition, CM Yogi said that during the UPA government, the Ranganath Mishra Committee had recommended giving Muslims a 6 per cent reservation by deducting from the reservation for backward classes. He added that it was only after the BJP opposed this, that Congress withdrew the proposal.

“Congress has consistently engaged in divisive politics, fostering division within the nation and actively promoting terrorism and separatism in various regions. Congress has once again promised to give such reservations in its manifesto this time”, he said.

The UP Chief Minister stated that Congress and SP did not express condolences on the demise of former UP CM, Kalyan Singh.

“Likewise, there was no compassion shown for the murder of Raju Pal in Prayagraj and advocate Umesh Pal. Presently, the mafia has been eradicated and justice has been served. Their sympathy lies with the mafia and ‘Ramdrohis’,” he said.

CM Yogi mentioned that the BJP government is currently conducting a survey to assess the potential for cultivating sugarcane in the area and plans are underway to establish a sugar and ethanol complex in the region.

“During the SP regime, only guns were manufactured here, but under the Kanpur Defence Corridor, cannons for the nation will be produced. When the cannons will kill terrorists at the border, the names of Kanpur and UP will resonate in everyone’s minds”, the Chief Minister stated.

“Only the BJP government can accomplish such tasks. Whether it’s about free ration or free healthcare, from the birth of a daughter to her education and marriage arrangements, or providing security to daughters and businessmen, your vote is shaping the vision of a new India,” he added.

Taking a dig at the Congress and the INDIA bloc, CM Yogi said, “Those who are responsible for dividing the country will work to divide you in future. We have to make the country self-reliant and developed under the leadership of PM Modi.”

Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana, State Government Minister Rakesh Sachan, Pratibha Shukla, MLAs Neelima Katiyar, Abhijeet Singh Sanga, Saroj Kuril, District Panchayat President Swapnil Varun, MP candidate Devendra Singh Bhole, former minister Aruna Kori, BJP Vice President Devesh Soni and other dignitaries were present at the event.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)