Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today took a jibe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for calling himself a Hindu.
Speaking at India TV Samvaad Conclave in Lucknow, organised to assess the performance of his 1-year old government, the CM said that Akhilesh and Congress president Rahul Gandhi have understood the power of Hindus.
Replying to Akhilesh’s remark that he is a ‘backward Hindu’, he said, “Hindus are neither backward, nor forward. People who used to worship Lord Hanuman within their home, today are coming outside of their home and speaking.”
“I am happy that Akhilesh Yadav has called himself a Hindu,” he said.
To a question will he ever visit a Mosque, he said, “I had visited a Gurdwara and that I will surely visit a Mosque of I get an invitation.”
Defending the induction of senior Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal into the BJP, he said, “BJP is a party that works on ideologies and principles. We always welcome those who are willing to work for the country as per those ideologies.”
To a question on alliance between Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati for Lok Sabha bypolls in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, he said, “The alliance between Akhilesh and Mayawati is their defeat. It will become easy for us, otherwise, we had to fight them separately.”
“People of the state know and have felt that BSP and Samajwadi Party both have obstructed a lot of development work in Uttar Pradesh,” he added.
“Even if they (SP, BSP, Congress) come together, I am sure that the people will once again vote in favour of the BJP. People are aware today,” Adityanath said.
On law and order situation, he said that more than 40 criminals have been killed.
“To control a state like UP, where jungle raj was prevalent, strict actions are needed. It is our duty to provide security to every innocent citizen. But if anyone opens fire on police, we will not tolerate. At the same time police officials have been directed to honour the human rights while performing their duty,” he said.
“The encounters that have taken place in the state have been done as per the need of law and order,” the CM opined.
To a question on jobs, he said that there are immense jobs in Uttar Pradesh as of now. “We are coming up with almost 5 lakh more job opportunities in Uttar Pradesh.”
He also took the opportunity to promise that sisters and daughters in the state will surely be given due respect.
When asked about lakhs of students skipping board exams due to strict anti-cheating measures, he said, “More than 75 per cent of students who skipped exams are outsiders. Cheating was rampant in the state but we have managed to check this.”
On electricity supply, the CM said that questions be asked to Akhilesh why only four districts were given power earlier.
“We have ordered uninterrupted power supply in district headquarters. The state has no power deficiency,” he said.
He also accused the opposition of running away from debate in the Assembly.
To a question on Akhilesh Yadav taking credit for Agra-Lucknow expressway and Lucknow Metro, he replied, “Credit of works can't be taken away by just one person. Works are still underway on Agra-Lucknow expressway, we had to announce budget for the expressway.”
“There were potholes on 1.21 lakh kms long road. We also made arrangements to widen the roads,” he added.
He also announced that not only Gazipur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ballia will be linked to the expressway.
Adityanath said that the BJP will win all 80 Lok Sabha seats in 2019. When countered, will Rahul and Sonia too lose, he said, “they will flee before that”.
On Ram Mandir issue, CM Yogi said that that government is not a party in the case. “The government should have taken initiative but it is not a party. If any individual is taking initiative... but when the matter is being heard by the court, it should be left to the court.”
On banning loudspeakers at religious sites, he said that the government will roll out the court order. “The sound decibel limit set by the court will be followed.”
Watch video: Rajat Sharma grills UP CM Adityanath
