Gonda (UP), Nov 2 Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday termed the Samajwadi Party a “shraap (curse)” for Uttar Pradesh, alleging that whenever the party has come to power in the state, it has only brought chaos.
Adityanath was speaking at a programme here after launching 69 development projects worth over Rs 520 crore.
“The biggest foodgrain 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,” the chief minister claimed.
“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.
He claimed that earlier, development was restricted to a handful of locations such as Saifai — the native village of SP founder and former 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,” he said.
Free ration is being provided to the poor, he added.
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 the Congress stand for crime and misrule.”
He alleged that during the SP’s tenure, erecting pandals for Durga Puja was frequently mired in controversy, with permission 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,” the chief minister alleged.
This Navaratri, 67,000 idols of Goddess Durga were installed across the state. For the Devipatan division, it was directed that no prior permission should be required for the installation of idols, Adityanath said.
He further alleged that the SP government would prevent the Kanwar Yatra and create hurdles in the celebration of festivals.
“Uttar Pradesh is now free from curfews and riots. In the past, disturbances would erupt during festivals and the markets would remain deserted,” the chief minister said.
Citing the events from November 2, 1990, Adityanath said, “During the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in Ayodhya, the then Samajwadi Party government ordered firing on devotees of Lord Ram.”
Earlier, the media frequently reported deaths of children in Gonda, Balrampur and Bahraich due to an “unknown disease”.
“The previous government accorded no value to the lives of the 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 charged.
He also accused previous governments of facilitating cheating rackets and stalling the establishment of universities. “Now, students here no longer resort to cheating; instead, they receive quality education and join the mainstream of development,” he said.
On the law and order front, the chief minister said funds and resources for development projects in Gaura, Mankapur, Gonda, Mehnaun, Karnalganj and 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 said.
Funds are being provided for restoration, beautification and better connectivity of centres of faith, such as Baba Prithvinath temple, Swaminarayan Chhapiya and the Varahi Devi temple, he said.
“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 added.
Adityanath also announced that an action plan is in place to distribute government appointment letters to 1 lakh youths over the next six months. So far, 12,000-15,000 people have received their appointment letters.
This week, 4,500 sub-inspectors will receive their appointment letters. Immediately after Diwali, 35,000 police constables, followed by 42,000 Home Guards, will be issued appointment letters, he said.
Agniveers returning after four years of service will be provided 20 per cent reservation in various state government departments, including the police, PAC, Home Guards, Forest Department, and Prison Department, the CM said.
Arrangements will be made for their appointment through direct recruitment, without the need for any examination, Adityanath said.
(PTI News)
