Hathras: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a strong political attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and its president Akhilesh Yadav, while inaugurating and laying foundation stones for 143 development projects worth over ₹548 crore across the Hathras, Sikandra Rao and Sadabad Assembly constituencies.
Addressing a public gathering, the Chief Minister questioned the Samajwadi Party’s commitment to religious and cultural issues. Referring to recent remarks by Akhilesh Yadav on Ayodhya, Yogi Adityanath said that parties should first reflect on their past record before making claims about promoting religious centres. He asserted that Ayodhya’s transformation had been achieved through the efforts of devotees and the development initiatives undertaken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Chief Minister alleged that previous governments had not given adequate importance to religious traditions and festivals. He highlighted ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and facilities at major pilgrimage centres and said that the state government was committed to preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
During his address, Yogi Adityanath also referred to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi issue, stating that those claiming to respect religious sentiments should openly support matters related to faith and heritage. He said the government was working to improve facilities for pilgrims visiting Mathura and other important religious destinations.
Alongside political remarks, the Chief Minister emphasized development and governance achievements. He inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects valued at nearly ₹548 crore and distributed house keys, Ayushman cards, smartphones and financial assistance under various welfare schemes, including the Yuva Udyami Yojana.
During the programme, he visited departmental exhibitions showcasing government initiatives and interacted with beneficiaries. In a widely noticed moment, the Chief Minister affectionately fed milk to a young girl while holding her in his lap.
Highlighting improvements in law and order, Yogi Adityanath contrasted the present situation with conditions before 2017. He said Uttar Pradesh had moved from an era associated with riots, curfews and organized crime to one focused on security and development. Referring to Muharram observances, he noted that approximately 12,000 processions were conducted across the state without any major disturbances or curfew-like situations.
The Chief Minister stated that a stable law-and-order environment was essential for economic growth, investment and employment generation. He pointed to increasing industrial activity in Hathras, supported by improved connectivity and infrastructure, which he said would create new opportunities for local youth.
He also announced measures aimed at supporting farmers, particularly potato growers in the region. According to the Chief Minister, new processing facilities would help reduce storage costs and improve returns for agricultural producers. He referred to broader agricultural initiatives, including research and seed-development centres, aimed at enhancing productivity and farm incomes.
Yogi Adityanath further highlighted the welfare initiatives of the central and state governments, including free ration distribution, housing assistance, sanitation programmes and LPG connections. He said government benefits were being delivered on the basis of eligibility without discrimination.
The Chief Minister reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance policy toward crime and asserted that Uttar Pradesh had emerged as one of India’s leading growth centres due to improved governance, infrastructure development and investment-friendly policies.
Beneficiaries who received assistance during the programme included Durgesh Kumar, Chandra Prakash, Preeti, Sonia, Jyoti, Meena Devi, Radha Devi, Vimal Raju, Mamta and Margshree.
Among those present were Member of Parliament Anoop Pradhan Valmiki, MLAs Anjula Singh Mahaur, Birendra Singh Rana and Pradeep Kumar, senior BJP leader Dinesh Sharma, District President Prem Singh Kushwaha, Lok Dal District President Shyam Chaudhary, Apna Dal (S) District President Ravi Saraswat, and other public representatives and party leaders.
