Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday urged the voters to vote for BJP candidates in the civic polls and add a third engine to the double-engine government.

Addressing a public meeting at Azamgarh, the chief minister said, “To ensure the optimal use of funds allocated by both the Central and state governments, one must vote in favour of the BJP candidate.”

Emphasising that unlike the opposition governments, the double engine government believed in the progress of all sections of the society and appeasement of none.

“This approach has resulted in receiving investment proposals of Rs 35 lakh crore, which will create employment opportunities for 1 crore people in the state.” the CM said.

“We are moving away from the era where people used to give kattas (country-made pistols) to the youth, now we provide them with tablets,” he said.

He added that times had changed and it was essential to guide the youth from the sword towards the pen, making them more skilled by connecting them with technology.

Seeking votes for the BJP candidates in a rally held at SKP Inter College ground, CM Yogi took a jibe at Akhilesh Yadav and said that five years ago the former Chief Minister had come here for campaigning, but today if he came by road, he won’t be able to recognise the district as it had completely changed.

“Azamgarh was once known in the world for its saints, revolutionaries as well as its intellectual and artistic richness.  There was a lot of expectation from the district after independence. However, the district moved in the opposite direction because of neglect; Prior to 2017, Azamgarh faced difficulties in establishing its identity. Its residents were even unable to secure accommodations in hotels and dharamshalas in other cities,” he pointed out.

“Now, Azamgarh is connected to the Purvanchal Express and a new airport is currently under construction. In addition, a university named after Maharaja Suheldev has been established here,” he stated.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, he said, “Nine years ago, India’s reputation was in decline, and Indians were viewed with suspicion abroad. However, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has undergone a transformation. The country’s global stature has increased, and PM Modi has earned the nickname ‘Sankat Mochan’ (trouble-shooter). We have brought back our citizens safely from the crisis-ridden Sudan. A total of 431 people from UP have been brought back so far from the country that include natives of Azamgarh also.”

CM Yogi said that the government was taking the benefits of welfare schemes to all the needy people, irrespective of caste and creed and without appeasement.

“In double engine government, crores of people have got houses, toilets, LPG gas connections, electricity, safe tap water and health insurance under Ayushman Bharat. The government has been providing free ration to 80 crore people for the last three years since the outbreak of Covid-19”, he said.

CM Yogi pointed out that Uttar Pradesh had emerged as the most progressive state in the country in recent times. “Today our cities are seen as smart cities and not piles of filth. There is no terror of criminals and cities are being developed into safe cities.  We consider the prime minister's vision as our mission. Now, curfews are a thing of the past, and the Kanwar Yatra is conducted peacefully. Previously, festivals were often marred by disturbances, but now they are celebrated in a peaceful manner.”

The chief minister said that there was better connectivity of four lanes in Azamgarh and no one would be able to recognise Azamgarh after five years.

On this occasion, cabinet minister Surya Pratap Shahi, MP Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirhua, BJP’s regional president Sahajanand Rai and the party’s candidates for all municipal bodies were present.