Uttar Pradesh Municipality Elections 2023: Ahead of the upcoming civic polls in Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday took a jibe at former CMs parties including Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), saying that the parties of 'bhai-behen' and 'bua-babua' gave guns to the youth while BJP has given them tablets.
"The parties of 'bhai-behen' and 'bua-babua' gave guns to the youth. The BJP has given them tablets," the Chief Minister said in Varanasi ahead of the two-phase urban local body polls on May 4 and 11.
CM Yogi said that the BJP government focused on development rather than 'appeasement', which has improved the standard of living in the state.
Addressing another rally in Moradabad, he said there is no “mafia raj” in Uttar Pradesh -- goons who moved around proudly are now begging for mercy.
"The BJP government is moving forward with the basic mantra of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' (inclusive development). We focused on development rather than appeasement of anyone in particular," he said.
Moradabad has a sizeable Muslim population, with a large number of members of the community engaged in making brassware.
The CM said the brass industry was experiencing a downturn earlier and artisans were migrating.
"But today Moradabad's brass business is achieving its glory under our government. Exports have increased, and it is now more well-known internationally," he said.
Hitting out at the Yogi Adityanath government, former UP CM Akhilesh Yadv said, "BJP has done just one thing. It has stopped all development works."
Voting should be done using ballot paper, says Mayawati
A few days ago, BSP supremo Mayawati bated for the use of ballot papers in the urban local body election in Uttar Pradesh and said her party will contest the polls with full vigour.
"Voting for the municipal corporations should be conducted using ballot papers, and not through EVMs (electronic voting machines). The elections should be free and fair. This is our demand to the government and officials concerned," she told reporters.
UP Municipal Elections to be held in two phases
The Uttar Pradesh State Election Commission announced the urban local body polls in two phases, on May 4 and 11, three months after the high court quashed the government's draft notification providing OBC reservation in the elections.
"The voting for the urban local body polls will be held on May 4 and 11. The counting of votes will take place on May 13," State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar had said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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