Predicting an easy win for Bharatiya Janata Party in the byelections, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the party was contesting on the plank of development as it believed that divisive politics only broght about poverty and backwardness.

Yogi addressed a series of election rallies in Kampiarganj and Sahajanwa in Gorakhpur on Tuesday. The seat was vacated by Yogi after he became the Chief Minister of UP. The BJP has fielded Upendra Shukla from the seat.

“The party is contesting this election on the issue of development. We are telling people about the work done in the last 11 months. This gives us the confidence to predict an easy win in the byoll,” Yogi said in Kampiarganj.

The CM said: “You have seen the work of previous governments too but not seen the kind of developmental projects by our government in such a short span. Previous governments squandered public money, allowed criminals to call the shots and sold off sugar mills to private players. This will not happen under this government.” 

“We are working under the directives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who wants the benefits of government schemes to reach every person. Our aim is to provide employment to each person,” he added.

Yogi spoke about various development projects being initiated by his government. “I had contested elections five times from Gorakhpur and every time my winning margin went up. This time too, I am sure the winning margin will increase,” the CM said.

Yogi exhorted party workers to spread out in the constituency and motivate people to come out of their homes and vote for the BJP.  “Our candidates’ victory rests on the shoulders of party workers. They need to join hands to ensure the victory of Upendra Shukla,” he said.

In his address, Shukla said that he would follow the path shown by Yogi. “I will serve this constituency like Yogi ji did in his tenure,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP got a shot in the arm as former minister and BSP leader Jaiprakash Nishad and his supporters joined the party in the prersence of Yogi in Gorakhpur. Votes will be cast in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur byelections on March 11 and the results will be declared on March 14. Phulpur seat was vacated by Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya.