In a scathing attack at Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said that while the country's heritage is represented by the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Akhilesh Yadav-led party "true legacy" is tied to notorious figures like Khan Mubarak, Atiq Ahmed, and Mukhtar Ansari.
"In contrast, before 2014, the leaders of the opposition alliance played with national security and disrespected our heritage. Today, Ram Lalla has been enshrined in the magnificent Ram temple in Ayodhya, a sight that fills every citizen of the country with pride. This is our heritage, which has been repeatedly insulted by the people of the Samajwadi Party," said Adityanath, according to news agency PTI.
Adityanath made the remark while addressing a rally for the bypolls on November 20.
"The Samajwadi Party's true legacy is tied to figures like Khan Mubarak, Atiq Ahmed, and Mukhtar Ansari," he added. Khan Mubarak, Atiq Ahmed and Mukhtar Ansari were gangsters. Later, Ahmed and Ansari joined politics.
Adityanath also claimed that the SP has strayed from the values and ideals of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.
He said: "While significant development work is being carried out in the state, our heritage is also being honoured. Though Dr (Ram Manohar) Lohia was born in Ambedkarnagar, the Samajwadi Party has strayed far from the values and ideals upheld by him and Acharya Narendra Dev. This is why they avoid visiting the memorial of Maharaja Suheldev. They fear that doing so might alienate their Muslim vote bank".
In Katehari, Adityanath accused the SP of "disrespecting" traditions, farmers, and youth. He pointed out the swift pace of infrastructure development across UP by his government and asserted that the state has now rid itself of mafia dominance.
He added, "Earlier, UP was synonymous with curfews and riots; now, it is defined by peace and progress."
During the Samajwadi Party's rule, development was limited to the Saifai family and the families of powerful mafias, Adityanath said. "The dreaded criminals responsible for the murders of BJP MLAs Krishnanand Rai and Raju Pal were once celebrated by the SP and BSP. Today, UP stands free from mafia influence and the fear they instilled," he asserted.