Daijiworld Media Network - Gonda
Gonda (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 2: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) of pushing the state towards lawlessness during its previous regimes, alleging that riots, curfews and crime were rampant under its rule. He said people no longer lived in fear under the BJP government.
The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at the inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremony for 69 development projects worth more than Rs 520 crore covering the Gaura and Mankapur Assembly constituencies. The event was held at Chhapia development block in Gonda.
On the occasion, he also distributed cheques, approval letters and other assistance materials to beneficiaries of various government welfare schemes. The development projects primarily cover roads, education and bridges.
Addressing the gathering, Yogi said, "Whenever the SP has come to power, it has brought devastation to Uttar Pradesh. During its rule, riots, curfews, and crime were rampant. Disturbances would erupt before festivals. The rights of the poor and employment opportunities for the youth were effectively plundered. The safety of daughters and businessmen remained in jeopardy."
He added that there were no longer riots or curfews in the state and people were celebrating festivals without fear.
Targeting the Opposition, the Chief Minister alleged that the SP and Congress provided protection to criminals, while the BJP government was bringing positive changes and respecting religious faith.
"In the past, if a follower of the Sanatan tradition worshipped Goddess Durga at home, SP supporters or those with malicious intent would object and file complaints; subsequently, the Samajwadi Party government in Lucknow would impose a ban on such worship," he claimed.
He said 67,000 idols of Goddess Durga were installed across Uttar Pradesh during this year's Navratri.
"If any SP supporter or anyone else feels troubled by this, they are free to mourn in the privacy of their own homes, but they must not cause distress to others," he said.
Yogi also recalled the Kanwar Yatra, alleging that obstacles had been created during previous regimes. He said around 4.5 crore devotees participated in the pilgrimage between Ghaziabad and Haridwar this year.
Referring to the events of November 2, 1990, in Ayodhya, the Chief Minister alleged that the then government had ordered police firing on devotees of Lord Ram.
"While the Samajwadi Party (SP) left devotees of Lord Ram bloodied by gunfire, the BJP government paved the way for the construction of the Ram Mandir by showering flowers upon them," he said.
Urging the younger generation to remember the previous SP regime, Yogi said those currently aged between 25 and 28 might not be aware of the situation prevailing in the state at that time, as they were below 15 years of age during the SP's rule.
He asked them to recall the alleged riots, curfews, looting of poor people's homes, denial of rights, lack of employment opportunities and concerns over women's safety.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the development initiatives undertaken in the state, saying that earlier development was concentrated around Saifai, whereas government schemes were now reaching all 75 districts.
He said projects worth more than Rs 16,000 crore had been sanctioned for Gonda over the past nine and a half years, while projects worth approximately Rs 50,000 crore had been approved for the entire Devipatan division.
Gonda had received investment proposals worth Rs 3,000 crore in 2023, several of which were already being implemented, he added.
Recalling the district's earlier infrastructure challenges, Yogi said its roads were once in a dilapidated condition and the region suffered from backwardness. He pointed out that Gonda now had the Maharaja Devi Bakhsh Singh Medical College and a university.
He also mentioned the establishment of Maharaja Suheldev Medical College in Bahraich and said construction of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College in Balrampur was nearing completion.
The widening of the Gonda-Ayodhya and Balrampur-Gonda roads had also received approval from the Central government, he said.
On employment, Yogi announced that the state government had prepared an action plan to provide government jobs to one lakh youths within six months. He said appointment letters had already been issued to between 12,000 and 15,000 youths.
This week, 4,500 sub-inspectors would receive appointment letters, while 35,000 police constables would be appointed after Diwali. Recruitment of another 42,000 Home Guards would follow, he said.
Recruitment processes for teachers and vacancies in other government departments were also progressing. The Chief Minister claimed that around 9.5 lakh youths had been provided government jobs so far.
He further announced that Agniveers completing their four-year military service would receive 20 per cent reservation and direct recruitment without an examination in various state departments, including the Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Home Guards, Forest Department and Prison Department.
Yogi also said medal-winning sportspersons had been appointed to various government positions, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and sports officer posts.
Issuing a stern warning to those threatening the safety of women and businesspeople, he said such offenders would have only two destinations — prison or hell, with no third option.
The Chief Minister further asserted that the mafia could no longer obstruct development projects. He said fresh investments would generate employment opportunities in Gonda, reducing the need for local youth to migrate to major cities in search of work.
Projects involving the production of compressed biogas from agricultural residue and cow dung were also being advanced to increase farmers' incomes, he added.