Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) during a public programme in Tejpur, under the Gaura Assembly constituency in Gonda, on Monday. Calling the SP a “curse” for Uttar Pradesh, he alleged that whenever the party came to power, the state witnessed destruction, riots and curfews. He said people once feared for their safety ahead of festivals, but the situation had changed under the BJP government. According to him, Uttar Pradesh is now free from riots and curfews.


Reference to the 1990 Firing

Yogi Adityanath also recalled the firing on kar sevaks in Ayodhya on November 2, 1990, during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Targeting the then SP government, he said bullets were fired at devotees of Lord Ram. He contrasted that incident with the present government's actions, claiming that flowers are now showered on Ram devotees and the way for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been cleared. He also alleged that religious events, including Durga Puja celebrations in the Devipatan region and Kanwar Yatra, faced restrictions under previous governments. He said such events are now taking place peacefully.


Allegations Over Jobs and Healthcare

The Chief Minister accused the previous SP government of neglecting poor families and harming the future of young people. He referred to deaths of children due to unidentified illnesses in Gonda, Balrampur and Bahraich, alleging that even the Health Department could not identify the diseases at the time. He also accused the previous government of denying poor families their rightful benefits and creating problems for young people seeking jobs. Yogi said the BJP government was working to ensure that welfare schemes reached those who needed them.


Ration Scam and Cleanliness

Referring to the 2016 cleanliness survey, Yogi said Gonda was counted among the dirtiest cities in the country during the previous government. He also raised the issue of the foodgrain scam, alleging that poor families were unable to receive the benefits of government schemes. In contrast, he said eligible people are now receiving benefits through ration, cooking gas and Ayushman Bharat schemes. He claimed that the present government was focused on delivering welfare benefits directly to deserving families.


Warning to Those Behind Riots

Yogi Adityanath said people involved in disturbing law and order would face strict action, regardless of their influence. He alleged that those responsible for riots earlier enjoyed political protection. He added that improved law and order had helped create a better environment for investment in Uttar Pradesh. Gonda received investment proposals worth around Rs 3,000 crore, and projects worth hundreds of crores have already moved to the implementation stage, he said.


Rs 16,000 Crore Projects in Gonda

The Chief Minister said projects worth more than Rs 16,000 crore had been approved for Gonda over the past nine-and-a-half years. He added that development projects worth around Rs 50,000 crore had been undertaken across the Devipatan division. Yogi also claimed that government recruitment had become more transparent, giving young people better opportunities. He said the government's aim was to create employment within districts so that young people would not have to move to other cities for work. He urged people to share Diwali celebrations with poor and underprivileged families. Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, local MLAs and other BJP leaders attended the programme.