Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath began his campaign for the upcoming assembly by-elections on Friday with rallies in Mirapur, Kundarki, and Ghaziabad, supporting NDA (RLD) and BJP candidates.

During the rallies, Adityanath targeted the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, urging voters to support BJP candidates and trust the government with ensuring development and security in the state.

Adityanath criticized SP and Congress for creating fear and distrust among communities, remarking, "Wherever SP supporters appear, daughters feel unsafe." He called upon voters to "wipe out" SP in the elections, stating, "SP was a partner in Congress’s ‘knockout’ strategy, but it’s time to ‘knock out’ the SP itself."

He further commented on SP’s social media presence, claiming it reveals the party's "true character." Recalling the saying from the SP government era, "If you see a vehicle with an SP flag, assume there's a goon inside," Adityanath stressed the importance of addressing SP’s conduct to ensure community safety.

He alleged that SP feels "uneasy" when communities celebrate festivals peacefully, pointing out the Election Commission’s decision to postpone the by-election date from November 13 to November 20 to accommodate a Hindu festival. Adityanath said, "If the date is adjusted for Eid, there’s no objection, but accommodating Hindu beliefs bothers SP."

The Chief Minister also commented on the growing discord between SP and Congress, claiming the alliance is in turmoil after recent incidents in Haryana and Maharashtra, where Congress allegedly advised SP to "stay within its limits." He noted that "this divorce between SP and Congress is now public, and it's time for UP voters to finish the job."

Promising development for Western UP, Adityanath highlighted infrastructure projects like the Delhi-Meerut Rapid Rail, which he said would soon extend to Muzaffarnagar. He assured the public that the NDA government has invested significantly in the region, contrasting it with the previous SP government, which he accused of "dividing society for votes."

Adityanath also underscored the government’s support for sugarcane farmers, claiming that over Rs 2.53 lakh crore has been paid to them in the last seven years, surpassing payments from the previous 22-year period. He added that the government is now covering the cost of private tube wells for farmers, further supporting agricultural needs.

Addressing employment, Adityanath assured that recent recruitments, including results for over 60,200 police positions expected later this month, are based on merit. Unlike the previous SP-led recruitment policies, he said, these selections offer fair opportunities for candidates from regions like Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, and Meerut.

In his speech, Adityanath criticized the INDIA alliance, accusing it of divisiveness while contrasting it with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a unified India. He condemned the alliance’s silence on Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, noting they are vocal about Palestine but ignore pressing issues at home.

Adityanath also referenced the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, claiming the district has since transformed from being scarred by communal violence to thriving as a sugarcane-producing region. He accused SP leaders of supporting rioters in the past and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting peace and prosperity.

Emphasizing cultural harmony, Adityanath said that mutual respect across communities is essential, stating, “When Holi and Diwali are celebrated peacefully, Eid should also proceed without issues.” In Kundarki, he praised the growth of Moradabad’s brass industry, attributing it to BJP’s policies and noting the region’s current export value of Rs 16,000 crore.

Urging people to avoid voting for SP, Adityanath claimed the party is anti-development and anti-women, asserting, "Every notorious mafia and goon has ties to SP." He emphasized that electing BJP candidates is key to maintaining progress in the state. The Chief Minister concluded by encouraging record voter turnout, urging the public to "bring BJP’s candidates to victory by an overwhelming margin." On Friday, Adityanath campaigned for NDA (RLD) candidate Mithilesh Pal in Mirapur, BJP candidate Ramveer Singh Thakur in Kundarki, and Sanjeev Sharma in Ghaziabad, calling for votes to continue progress in these regions.