Saffron and Bhagwa Attire Faced Inherent Opposition from Samajwadi Party: CM Yogi

Mainpuri, July 2026: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched and laid the foundation stone for 111 development projects worth more than ₹682 crore in Mainpuri, while launching a sharp political attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP). He accused the opposition party of being fundamentally opposed to India’s cultural and religious traditions, alleging that it had consistently attempted to obstruct religious events such as the Kanwar Yatra and Janmashtami celebrations.

Addressing a large public gathering, the Chief Minister said the state has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past few years. “Earlier, Uttar Pradesh was known for riots and curfews. Today, there are neither riots nor curfews—everything is peaceful, and the state has become a land of festivals and development,” he said.

Referring to the upcoming Guru Purnima and the beginning of the holy month of Shravan, Yogi Adityanath said the Kanwar Yatra is being conducted peacefully across the state. He alleged that during the previous SP government, there were repeated attempts to stop the pilgrimage.

“The Samajwadi Party used to claim that if Kanwar pilgrims were allowed to travel, riots would break out. They even objected to the blowing of conch shells and ringing of temple bells. It appeared as though they had an inherent dislike for saffron and bhagwa attire,” the Chief Minister remarked.

He added that after the formation of the BJP-led double-engine government, it was decided that Kanwar Yatras would be organised with full respect and adequate facilities. “Today, Shiv devotees can undertake the pilgrimage in a disciplined manner and perform Jalabhishek at temples without any obstruction,” he said.

The Chief Minister also alleged that the previous government had stopped Janmashtami celebrations at public institutions, including police stations and jails. “Now, grand Janmashtami celebrations are held across Mathura, Vrindavan, Mainpuri, Etawah and every district of Uttar Pradesh,” he said.

Highlighting changes in government priorities, Yogi said funds that were earlier spent elsewhere are now being utilised for the beautification and renovation of temples and promotion of cultural heritage. He accused previous governments of diverting development funds for personal and political interests while neglecting welfare schemes for the poor.

Speaking about Mainpuri, the Chief Minister said the district is regaining recognition for its rich historical and cultural legacy. “There was a time when people from Mainpuri faced social stigma outside the district. Today, the youth, farmers and traders from Mainpuri are respected wherever they go because Uttar Pradesh has earned a new identity,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath emphasised that recruitment in government jobs is now conducted transparently and on merit. “Earlier, only those who could pay money got jobs. Today, deserving youth from districts like Mainpuri and Etawah receive appointment letters without recommendations or corruption,” he said.

The Chief Minister noted that Uttar Pradesh has transformed from a financially weak state into a revenue-surplus economy and has emerged as one of India’s leading contributors to economic growth. He assured that there would be no shortage of funds for development projects, employment generation or farmer welfare schemes.

He highlighted several welfare initiatives implemented without caste discrimination, including farm loan waivers benefiting 86 lakh farmers, government employment for more than nine lakh youth, and the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, under which Mainpuri’s renowned Tarkashi handicraft has gained global recognition.

Launching another attack on the SP, Yogi alleged that law and order had deteriorated under previous governments, forcing families to send their daughters outside Uttar Pradesh for education due to safety concerns. He cited the murder of former BJP district president Madan Chauhan during the SP regime as an example of the state’s previous law-and-order situation.

“Our government adopted a zero-tolerance policy against crime and organised criminal networks. Criminals have either been sent to jail or eliminated through legal action, and the state has been freed from the grip of the mafia,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister also criticised what he described as the previous leadership’s lack of vision for development, accusing it of focusing solely on family interests instead of public welfare.

He concluded by urging people to remain united and reject attempts to divide society on the basis of caste or region. Stressing that Mainpuri’s development is essential for building a developed Uttar Pradesh, Yogi said every assembly constituency and development block in the district would be included in the state’s long-term development roadmap.

During the visit, the Chief Minister also participated in a plantation drive, distributed school bags and educational kits to students, interacted with beneficiaries of government welfare schemes, visited exhibitions showcasing development initiatives, and reviewed stalls set up under Mission Shakti, the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Scheme and various self-help groups.