Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has criticized the alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal as “opportunistic and anarchist.” Speaking at a rally in Meerut ahead of the second round of civic polls, Adityanath accused the two parties of finding themselves in trouble with lawbreakers in the state on a tight leash.
The Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal are contesting the UP urban local body polls in alliance. They had fought the 2022 UP assembly polls too as allies.
Adityanath claimed that the alliance was having problems now that his government was restoring order and ending chaos in the state. He also highlighted the development initiatives taken by his government, including the upcoming Rapid Rail project that will connect Delhi and Meerut.
The chief minister said that UP has taken a great leap in establishing a new identity for itself with development. He emphasized that the state’s identity is being made on the basis of good governance, positive thinking of development, and nationalism. He also praised the Kanwar Yatra, a pilgrimage taken by Lord Shiva devotees, saying that it was becoming the identity of UP.
Before 2017, UP was known as “Danga Pradesh,” Adityanath said, referring to the frequent communal clashes that used to take place in the state. However, his government has brought an end to such unrest, he added.
The Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, on the other hand, have criticized Adityanath’s government for failing to address issues such as unemployment, law and order, and farmers’ grievances.
The civic polls in UP are seen as a litmus test for all political parties ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal have expressed confidence in their alliance and are hoping to improve their performance in the polls. However, Adityanath’s BJP remains a formidable opponent and is expected to put up a tough fight.