Hitting out at the Samajwadi Party and its leader Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday, said that organised crime thrived under SP rule in the past, with mafias controlling animals, forests, mining and land.

In a public meeting held at Vidya Inter College grounds in Milkipur on Thursday, Yogi remarked: “The mafia essentially ran a parallel government, spreading lawlessness and terror, while ‘Babua’ never stepped outside and would not even wake up before noon, leaving the public to suffer.”

He criticised SP leaders, pointing out that major mafia figures and criminals from every district had ties to the party, each having a dedicated officer or follower.

Yogi also accused SP of indulging in extreme Muslim appeasement, which led to widespread unrest during festivals.

He said, “They banned celebrations of Holi, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Shivratri, Ramnavami and Janmashtami. They even prohibited the singing of bhajans during Janmashtami in police stations, police lines and jails. Some could not stand the sound of ‘Hare Rama, Hare Krishna’, so the SP banned it. They also banned the Kanwar yatra.”

Recalling the Ayodhya riots during Durga Puja under SP rule, Yogi said, “The idol was stolen from Devkali temple during their government. I, as an MP from Gorakhpur, had to step in and launch a movement.”

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, focused on his ‘Mission Milkipur’, delivered a significant development boost to Ramnagari Ayodhya on Thursday, inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for 83 projects worth over Rs 1,000 crore.

The chief minister also distributed cheques, keys, certificates and sewing machines to beneficiaries of various government schemes.

Highlighting the progress in Milkipur, he announced plans for a mini stadium and the foundation of 30 new routes, along with Rs 9 crore investment for a rural stadium in Revna.

The chief minister emphasised Uttar Pradesh’s transformation, noting that the state has now become the driving force behind India’s economic growth.

“Before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was seen as an obstacle to the nation’s progress, plagued by anarchy and discrimination in development schemes, with even revered figures being disrespected,” he said.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party’s double engine government, however, has rapidly accelerated development over the last seven and a half years. Today, villages and hamlets benefit from four-lane and two-lane roads, better connectivity, as well as improved access to electricity and water,” he added.

Yogi highlighted the key achievements of the BJP government, including the provision of toilets for 2.62 crore families, housing for 56 lakh poor households, electricity to 1.20 lakh small villages and free electricity connections to over 1.56 crore families.

Under the Ujjwala scheme, 1.83 crore families received free cooking gas cylinders, with free refills now provided on Holi and Diwali since last year, he added.

Additionally, 15 crore people in Uttar Pradesh receive free ration, whereas before 2017, “SP goons used to steal the rations meant for the poor”" Yogi pointed out.

The chief minister accused the SP of being complicit in cow smuggling, deforestation and land grabbing. “Today, we have eradicated land encroachments. Since 2017, our anti-land mafia task force has reclaimed 64,000 hectares of land from SP-affiliated mafia and goons, including in Bhadarsa,” he said.

Responding to SP’s allegations of a land scam in Ayodhya, Yogi said, “There has been no scam here; rather, Rs 1,700 crore in compensation was distributed to farmers. Those making these allegations are defending the wrongdoings of their associates. Every rightful victim has been compensated.”

He highlighted the transformation in Ayodhya, stating, “In the Ayodhya where they once shed the blood of Ram devotees, over three crore pilgrims have visited Lord Ram Lalla since January 2022.”

Yogi remarked that when the temples of Ayodhya are illuminated during Deepotsav, only the SP chief and Pakistan are disturbed.

“They understand that each lamp lit in Ayodhya not only brightens the city, the state and the country but also holds the power to destroy Pakistan, a nation that has become a cancer for humanity. Pakistan, as India’s enemy, is naturally troubled, but so is the Samajwadi Party due to its anti-Hindu mindset,” the chief minister said.

He added, “The SP, accustomed to operating in darkness, relies on it to carry out their misdeeds.”

Chief Minister Yogi also alleged mafia ties within SP ranks, naming criminals from Ghazipur, Ambedkar Nagar, Rampur and Prayagraj who were involved in organised crime. He added, “These mafia figures were considered family by SP leaders. A person who bows to criminals and riots calls the saint tradition a mafia –  this is their true character. They are influenced by the spirit of Aurangzeb, which drives their anti-Hindu behaviour.”

Yogi also attacked SP for the involvement of its leaders in various atrocities committed against people. “SP leader Moeed Khan in Bhadarsa, Nawab Singh Yadav in Kannauj and their leaders in Aligarh and Mau have been implicated in heinous acts. The SP MLA from Bhadohi is notorious for his misdeeds, and in Hardoi, an SP district president was involved in the murder of an advocate.Similarly, a former SP MLA in Kanpur was guilty of land grabs and violence against the poor. They have always provided shelter to anti-national elements for political gains,” he remarked.

“Their malicious intentions, especially toward the safety of daughters, can never be trusted – just like a dog’s tail that can’t be straightened. Our government is giving them the punishment they deserve. While the Chacha-Bhatija duo and their allies may think they can push the boundaries of lawlessness, the government is fully prepared to confront them with vigilance,” Yogi stated.

He highlighted the extensive development work carried out in Ayodhya and Milkipur. He noted that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 45,664 houses have been provided in rural Ayodhya and 19,964 in urban areas. Of these, 8,195 homes were constructed in rural Milkipur alone. Additionally, 2,369 beneficiaries have been provided housing under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana. Under Har Ghar Nal Yojana, efforts are underway to ensure drinking water connections in every household across 1,184 revenue villages in Ayodhya, he added.  

Furthermore, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi has benefitted 4.21 lakh farmers in Ayodhya, with Rs 1,430 crore transferred to their accounts. In Milkipur, 94,549 farmers are receiving the scheme’s benefits, he pointed out.

The chief minister also shared that 67,014 smartphones and 26,974 tablets have been distributed to youth in Ayodhya, while 9,726 golden Ayushman Bharat cards have been issued. Additionally, 30,245 girls have benefitted from the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana.

“The double-engine government is providing an annual pension of Rs 12,000 to 1,08,228 senior citizens, 54,529 destitute women, and 11,603 disabled individuals in Ayodhya. Over 12,600 cows are being cared for in 59 gaushalas across the district, and 4.32 lakh families are receiving free ration,” he said.