Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday attacked Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and alleged that the previous governments had fostered mafia and dacoits in the Bundelkhand region.
Addressing an election rally for Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat at Dak Bungalow ground here, the CM said that Bundelkhand had long been parched for water and urged voters to ensure that such individuals lost their deposits in the current elections.
He said, “Both the central and state governments have prioritised development of the Bundelkhand region. We envision its transformation akin to Noida, where the youth will find ample opportunities, preventing migration and attracting global talent for jobs and employment.”
Yogi urged the public to support the party candidate Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel.
While paying tribute to the land of Alha, Udal and the brave Chandelas, he said, “To me, Mahoba feels like my own land.”
The CM highlighted the significance of Gorakhgiri, where Baba Gorakhnath had undertaken penance and where Alha and Udal had received the boon of immortality.
The CM underscored the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s commitment to enhancing tourism in Gorakhgiri, aiming to elevate its prominence.
He criticised the previous administrations for neglecting Bundelkhand, a region rich in natural resources, rivers, streams, mining and tourism potential.
He pointed out that the SP government had exploited the area by fostering mafia and dacoits, causing harm to its people.
Yogi cautioned people against voting for those who have attacked devotees of Lord Ram, urging people not to become complicit in sin.
Highlighting the developmental strides made under the BJP government, he underscored the significant changes since the party came to power ten years ago, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Promising to leave a lasting impact, he vowed to uplift Bundelkhand to a level that future generations would remember. “It feels good to see the Bundelkhand Expressway today. Our Bundelkhand is now moving towards touching new heights of development,” he said.
The CM highlighted initiatives such as the Har Ghar Nal Yojana, aimed at providing RO water to every household. He mentioned landmark projects like the Arjun Sahayak Project, Ratauli Dam Project, Bhavani Dam Project, and Masgaon-Chilli Sprinkler Irrigation Project, inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
He said these initiatives have quenched the thirst of Bundelkhand’s fields, signifying progress and prosperity for the region.
Yogi emphasized that the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ has been upheld without any bias towards individuals, villages or regions. “Today, when cannons manufactured in Bundelkhand thunder on the border, it sends shivers down the spines of those in Pakistan,” he said.
He said, “Before 2017, the region was plagued by the terror of dacoits and dominated by powerful mafias. SP, BSP, and Congress nurtured these criminal elements, leading to rampant looting and endangering the safety of our daughters and businessmen. However, now we’ve initiated actions to develop Bundelkhand akin to Noida. Our youth will no longer need to migrate. Instead, the global community will come to Bundelkhand seeking employment opportunities.”
The CM said that today, 80 crore people in the country receive free ration, contrasting this with the situation in Pakistan, where even a kilo of flour sparks fights despite its smaller population compared to UP.
He credited Prime Minister Modi with lifting a larger population out of poverty in the last decade than the entire population of Pakistan.
The CM criticised Congress, noting their opposition to the construction of the Ram temple in India.
He challenged them, asking whether the temple should not be built in India or if it should be constructed in Italy instead.
Emphasising on the power of each individual vote, he said that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and himself draw strength from the support of the people.
He announced that in two days, Prime Minister Modi would visit the Samadhi of Swami Brahmanand in Rath, Hamirpur, to pay respects and engage with the public.
He said that the upcoming election is crucial for building a self-reliant and developed India under Modi’s leadership.
He urged voters to hold accountable those responsible for keeping Bundelkhand thirsty for water and endangering national security, ensuring forfeiture of their security with their votes.
