SP anti-Sanatan, anti-India, supportsterrorists & gangsters, says Yogi

Lucknow/Ayodhya: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday launched a fierce attack on the Samajwadi Party during an election rally in Milkipur assembly constituency on Sunday dubbing the party as ‘anti-Sanatan' and ‘anti-India'.
"SP leaders openly express their support to terrorists and gangsters. One can go through the views that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has expressed over social media platform X just two months back. He was upset over the preparations for Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj," Yogi said.
"So far 34 crore people have visited the event. On Saturday, vice-president and ambassadors and diplomats from several countries were in Prayagraj to attend Maha Kumbh but Akhilesh is unhappy upon see the growing popularity of the congregation," he said.
Referring to the aerial survey that he conducted while encircling the temple town of Ayodhya, Yogi said that the roads leading to Ram Temple were jampacked with devotees.
"It is because of the vision of the central govt under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hard work of the state govt that connectivity and infrastructure of Ayodhya has been augmented. More than Rs 1,700 crore have been distributed as compensation during road widening exercise," said Yogi.
While rallying support for BJP candidate Chandra Bhan Paswan, Yogi described the bypoll as a "contest between nationalism and dynastic politics". He alleged that the SP consistently opposes initiatives celebrating Hindu culture and social justice while embracing mafia elements.
Yogi criticised SP's stance on historical figures, citing their opposition to the memorial of Maharaja Suheldev in Bahraich. "They prefer to honour ‘Ghazi' over our heroes," Adityanath said, referring to Ghazi Sayyid Salar Masood, who was defeated by King Suheldev in a historic battle.
Adityanath didn't hold back in highlighting criminal cases that had been lodged against SP workers. Mentioning SP functionary Moeed Khan, accused in a rape case in Ayodhya's Pura Qalandar area and Nawab Singh Yadav, who faces rape charges in Kannauj, Yogi urged voters to stand behind the saffron camp during voting on Feb 5. Referring to the murder of a Dalit woman in Ayodhya, Yogi added that involvement of the opposition party member was suspected by investigators.
He highlighted the SP's opposition to Ram Temple in Ayodhya and its stand against the projects undertaken to augment infrastructure in the region. The CM accused the party of opposing initiatives honouring mythological figures such as Valmiki, Nishadraj and Shabri after whom various establishments such as airport, railway stations and other govt buildings were named in Ayodhya.
He also emphasised the crucial role that Uda Devi from the Pasi community, Jhalkari Bai from Kori community and Avantibai Lodhi played in the past while taking on the Nawabs and the East India Company in the Awadh region.
"They even opposed the formation of three dedicated women PAC battalions named after these three icons," Yogi said.
Accusing Akhilesh Yadav of disrespecting Dr BR Ambedkar, Yogi said that during his tenure the name of Kannauj Medical College was changed. "They solely focus on the development of their hometown Saifai. It is time for Milkipur to tread the path of development just as Ayodhya town by electing a BJP candidate," he said.
The Milkipur seat had fallen vacant after SP's Awadhesh Prasad resigned following his victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Samajwadi Party has fielded Ajit Prasad, son of Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad, from Milkipur.
"SP MP from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad is accustomed of doing ‘nautanki' (drama). SP workers strangulated a Dalit girl in Mainpuri while one young girl was sexually assaulted in Ayodhya," he said.
Referring to massive employment opportunities that have been created after the inauguration of Ram Temple, Yogi said that from 2.35 lakh tourists in 2016, the footfall in the temple town has gone up to 16.11 crore in 2024.
He added that ever since the BJP govt took over, 64,000 acre of land encroached by SP workers and supporters had been freed across UP.