Lambasting the previous SP and BSP governments for not bringing prosperity to Bundelkhand region and disrespecting great personalities like Rani Lakshmibai, Jhalkaribai and Major Dhyan Chand, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the BJP's double-engine government not only worked for the welfare of everyone, but also knew how to respect the nation’s legends.
Addressing a public meeting at Jhansi on Thursday, Yogi saide, "The region which failed to develop even after 70 years of independence and lacked essential resources was developed in the last five years. We not only worked towards the progress of every section without bias but also honoured great personalities like Rani Lakshmibai, Jhalkaribai and Major Dhyan Chand by keeping their legacies alive."
Stating that the SP, BSP and Congress were all similar parties that possessed a ‘dynastic mindset’, the Chief Minister added, "All they (opposition) did was to benefit themselves, while we named Jhansi railway station after Rani Lakshmibai, a women PAC battalion after Jhalkaribai and a grand sports university at Meerut after hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand. We know how to extend honour to our legends."
Maintaining that the previous regimes in the state deprived Bundelkhand region of essential resources and made the locals crave for each drop of water, Yogi said, "The previous governments clearly neglected Jhansi and the Bundelkhand region, whereas right after assuming charge as Chief Minister, the first visit I undertook was to Bundelkhand, as I was aware of the sufferings of the people of this region."
Referring to Bundelkhand Expressway, the Chief Minister said, "Bundelkhand expressway will connect this region to development, foster tourism, respect the faith of the common man, pave way for new possibilities, generate jobs for the youth of this region and benefit the traders in a major way. The Expressway will not only improve road infrastructure and connectivity but will also contribute to the region’s economic growth as industrial clusters will be established here."
Accusing his predecessors for laying illegal weapon manufacturing units in parts of Bundelkhand and playing with the future of the youth, Yogi charged, "The difference in their (SP's) intentions and ours is clear. They laid illegal arms’ manufacturing units. The illegal arms made here were then used for extorting from traders, harassing the poor, farmers and the women. On our part, we set up a Defence Corridor for manufacturing fighter aircraft, weaponry and cannons for the country's security and providing employment to the youth. Now, Uttar Pradesh and Jhansi have been transformed into ‘safe’ places where such incidents have become a thing of the past."
“Humara Bundela jab us tope pe baithke dushman ki seema pe jayega toh Maharani Lakshmibai ke vakya ‘Main Apni Jhansi Nahi Dungi’ ek baar phir Dushman ko Bharat ki shakti ka ehsas dilayenge," he remarked.
Continuing his attack at the opposition parties Yogi said, "The question is how this area, which was an example for water conservation in the past, turned into a centre of exodus and water-related problems. While previous regimes did not do anything, we took forward projects like Har Ghar Nal, Arjun Sahayak and completed dozens of irrigation projects."
Criticising the opposition for trading in politics of lies, the Chief Minister said that while the BJP and its workers served the nation selflessly amid the Covid pandemic peak, other political parties chose to save themselves and left people to providence.
"We worked to save people amid the pandemic by the provision of free testing, free vaccines and free ration. ‘Sankat ka saathi’, Bharatiya Janata Party. Our only mantra has been to save humanity. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our party workers served the nation selflessly whereas the brother-sister duo and the bua-babua were nowhere to be seen," he added.
Yogi went on to say that if the SP had been in power during the Covid crisis, no vaccine would have been made available to the people. "While we provided free vaccines, they engaged in black-marketing of vaccines even in crisis. Do you expect these opportunists to work for your welfare?” he asked.
Announcing that the BJP will ensure tablets/smartphones in hands of every youth after March 10, Yogi Adityanath said, "Today, when BJP is distributing smartphones and tablets to 1 crore youth, Samajwadi Party has urged the EC that these gadgets shouldn't be distributed to youth. Don't worry, if we come to power again, we'll distribute it to 2 crore youth.”
The Chief Minister also promised that the BJP will not only provide tablets and smartphones but also provide free digital access to 2 crore youth in the next five years if voted to power again. Attacking the SP and BSP, Yogi asked the congregation if they were getting power supply, piped water and double-dose of ration presently during the present regime. As they replied in the affirmative, he asked again if they used to get it during the previous regimes and went on to say, "The previous governments used to like darkness and destruction."
The Chief Minister stressed said that the double engine government of UP waived loans of over 60,707 farmers from Jhansi. "Similarly, 2,50,995 farmers of Jhansi were being provided Rs 6,000 annually under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Over 50,499 people got houses in the district under the PM/CM Awas Yojana," he pointed out.