Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, launched a robust campaign in Agra for the Lok Sabha elections. He addressed the ‘Jan Chaupal’ in support of Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Rajkumar Chahar from Fatehpur Sikri and the prabuddhajan in support of the candidate from Agra, Prof SP Singh Baghel.

Highlighting the strides made in development initiatives and public welfare over the past decade, the chief minister underscored the government’s unwavering stance on law and order. He emphasised that the state’s zero tolerance policy has instilled fear among criminals, stating, “Now criminals are pleading not to be sent to the jails also. They are afraid to face the consequences.”

The chief minister said that if there was no fear among the mafia, then they would make life difficult for the poor.

Seeking votes in favour of Lok Sabha candidate Rajkumar Chahar in Fatehpur Sikri, the chief minister said that before 2017, police stations in many areas remained locked after sunset, reflecting the dire state of law and order.

“The plight of ordinary citizens was evident to all. Criminals assumed that this government would be no different from its predecessors, but we declared a policy of zero tolerance against crime and criminals. We made it clear, stop committing crimes or be prepared to face music,” he asserted.

The chief minister continued, “In those days, many criminals, who were on bail, got their bail orders cancelled and went back to the jails. However, things have changed now. Now they are pleading not to be sent to the jails also. They are afraid to face the consequences. You must have observed that many criminals are now seen roaming the streets, holding placards, promising to earn their livelihood through honest means, and vowing not to engage in wrongdoing again. They are desperately pleading for mercy.”

The chief minister emphasised that if the mafia and criminals are not held accountable by the law, they will continue to make life unbearable for the poor, businessmen and ordinary citizens.

“There used to be riots every other day in UP. However, the state that was once plagued by riot and curfews under the Congress and the Samajwadi Party rules will no longer tolerate such disruptions. Uttar Pradesh now embraces festivities and traditional celebrations. Utsav Pradesh believes in Narendra Modi’s guarantee,” Yogi affirmed.

While interacting with the intellectuals in favour of party candidate Prof SP Singh Baghel at Surasadan in Agra, Yogi Adityanath said that there was no doubt among voters across the country about the National Democratic Alliance’s historic victory in the elections. He remarked that the current Lok Sabha elections are notably distinct, sharply divided between two poles: family versus nation, appeasement versus nationalism, and corruption versus zero tolerance.

Furthermore, he highlighted the dire state of the opposition INDIA bloc, noting its challenges in finding suitable candidates. The chief minister underscored the unparalleled consensus among voters across the country in favour of the NDA for the 18th Lok Sabha elections. The chief minister remarked, “Presently, a uniform chorus resounds across every nook and cranny, be it village or city, spanning from the north to the south and from the east to the west. The reverberation heard in Agra resonates throughout our nation. Opposition parties are struggling to find candidates, a dilemma not confined solely to Agra but extending across Uttar Pradesh and the country.”

He expressed confidence in victory in Agra but urged for unified efforts to make this triumph historic. Additionally, he appealed to prabuddhajan to engage in grassroots campaigning, representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and elucidating the significance of each vote to the public.