‘Babua' agitated over exposure of loot,corruption under previous govt: Yogi
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Gorakhpur/Azamgarh: Launching a veiled attack on SP chief
Akhilesh Yadav
over corruption in JPNIC project, Chief Minister Adityanath on Wednesday said "a CBI inquiry is ongoing into the project and that is why 'Babua' is furious about the exposure of loot and corruption".
Although the CM didn't name the SP chief in his speech, the reference was obvious.
Launching a massive plantation drive in the state by planting saplings in Gorakhpur, Ayodhya and Azamgarh, the CM attacked the previous SP govt and cited figures related to Purvanchal Expressway and JPNIC and said the revelation of corruption left 'Babua' agitated.Claiming that rampant corruption and loot was witnessed in the implementation of schemes before 2017, Yogi said: "The SP govt gave tender for the 341-kilometre-long and 110-metre-wide Purvanchal Expressway for Rs 15,200 crore.
In contrast, the BJP's double-engine govt increased the width to 120 metres, re-tendered it, and reduced the cost to Rs 11,800 crore."
"Those who engaged in corruption are now giving sermons. JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) was known for value-based politics and opposing nepotism, but the SP govt tarnished his name. The JPNIC project, initially costing Rs 200 crore, incurred expenses of Rs 860 crore by March 2017 without completion, prompting a CBI investigation.
'Babua' who was talking about ethics is now agitated by the exposure of corruption," he said.
The CM criticised parties questioning the BJP govt, saying that they even "question the campaign of planting 37 crore saplings in a day, while they did nothing when given the opportunity".
"They used schemes to plunder public money. Our govt introduced 'One District One Product' and 'One District One Crop', while the SP, Congress, and BSP govts gave 'One District, One Mafia', spreading venom in society in the name of nepotism and firing on the devotees of Lord Ram," Yogi said.
He said that under previous govts, forest mafia conducted illegal logging, mining mafias engaged in illegal excavations, and land mafias seized the property of the poor.
"There was chaos in the state. Today, the govt has implemented a zero-tolerance policy against mafias across the state. Before 2017, the youth of the state faced an identity crisis. Today, when a person from UP goes outside, the mention of their connection to the state brings a smile to the face of the listener," he said.
During his visit to Azamgarh, where he planted a Harishankari Vatika along the expressway in Kerma village, Yogi issued a warning to anti-social and anti-national elements, asserting that the govt was taking decisive action against those involved in such activities.
Citing the arrest of Chhangur Baba in Balrampur, who is accused of orchestrating mass conversions, the CM said, "We apprehended a criminal yesterday who was exploiting Hindu women.
Such elements are now being dealt with sternly. We will not allow society to fragment. We will crush all anti-national and anti-social forces."
Referring to the period before 2017, the CM said that large-scale deforestation and illegal mining by forest and mining mafias led to lawlessness and environmental degradation.
"There was no development, only destruction. In contrast, our govt's initiative is transforming heatwaves into greenwaves. Azamgarh has sent many prominent leaders to Parliament but it was only after Nirahua became MP that expressways, a university in the name of Maharaja Suheldev, a music college, and extensive road networks became a reality," the CM said.
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