In what is likely to be seen as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's resolve in taking decisions without any pride and prejudice, Yogi Adityanath, who recently distributed school bags that bore the picture of his predecessor Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party logo, has now sanctioned a budget for the upkeep of statues and parks built during the tenure of Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati.
Yogi, once a hardcore critic of Mayawati for her love for the construction of monuments and statues in the name of Dalit icon BR Ambedakar using taxpayer’s money, has approved a budget of Rs 10 crore for the maintenance of monuments.
This is contrary to what the Samajwadi party regime, under the leadership of Yadav scion Akhilesh, did to these monuments built by his political “Bua.”
During Junior Yadav’s regime, all of Mayawati’s pet projects were left to die a slow death. Most of them ended up in a dilapidated state during the five years of Samajwadi rule in the state.
Looks like a sarcastic remark by Mayawati-led to a change of heart for the saffron-clad Chief Minister.
"If Yogi is so worried about Dalits and their leaders then he should ensure maintenance of monuments in their names. They are in bad shape due to the neglect of the previous government," Mayawati said a few days ago.
Within 48 hours after the comment, Aditayanaath did the unthinkable and sanctioned the amount.
The Chief Minister also directed the development authority of the state capital to immediately start the maintenance of these monuments.
"These magnificent monuments are not personal properties of any political leader or particular government but a heritage of the state and belonged to people. It is the duty of my government to ensure their proper maintenance and upkeep," newspaper DNA quoted the Chief Minister while reporting the development.
Besides, the CM also ordered proper maintenance of the parks built by Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav in the state capital.
