Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, 6 March, rejected the opposition's allegation that he is only a leader for one community, saying that while he was a Hindu, his government would provide a conducive atmosphere to those wanting to observe festivals like 'Eid'.
Earlier, opposition leaders raised questions referring to the chief minister's reported response to journalists in Mathura some days back that he did not celebrate 'Eid'.
Replying to a charge levelled by Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary that Adityanath appeared to be the chief minister of only some so-called Hindus through his language, work and thinking, and that he had ducked a journalist's query on Eid, the chief minister said that he was a Hindu and did not celebrate Eid.
I am a Hindu and proud of my traditions and there is nothing wrong in it, but the government will extend help for peaceful Eid celebrations in the state.Yogi Adityanath
He added that he did not indulge in drama like some others.
“I have visited various religious centres, as we want to give momentum to spiritual tourism along with pilgrimage which has vast scope in the state,” Adityanath said, adding that he had even visited the Taj Mahal.
"You think you have a patent on it," the chief minister said.
'Red Flag Has Drowned in Tripura, Now It is the Red Cap's Turn'
During his reply to the motion of thanks to the Governor's address in the state Assembly, Adityanath also took pot-shots at rival parties, claiming it was the "frustration and helplessness" of the Samajwadi Party that led it to reach an understanding with bitter opponent Bahujan Samaj Party ahead of the Gorakhpur and Phulpur bypolls.
He also brushed aside opposition charges of fake encounters being staged, of BJP encouraging divisive tendencies, while also asserting that no person would be allowed to stop the march of the tricolour.
Seeking to highlight the bitter differences between the Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati-led parties, Adityanath said it was the SP's "frustration and helplessness" that it went and "sat in the lap of the BSP".
He said the real answer will be given by the people in the Gorakhpur and Phulpur in the upcoming Lok Sabha bypolls (in which BSP is backing SP candidates).
The red flag has been drowned in Tripura, and now it is the turn of the red cap which will be drowned in UP, as today it’s the time of saffron which is indicative of development.Yogi Adityanath
“Only two kind of people are feeling the heat – those indulging in loot and the others who used to create anarchy,” he said.
‘Will Not Let Go of Any Person Who Forcefully Tries to Stop Tiranga Yatra’
Taking exception to Chaudhary's statement that BJP's wrong policies will be responsible in case of any further partition, the chief minister said that a statement like this from a person who has taken the oath in the name of Constitution cannot be accepted.
The country is emerging stronger..India will not be divided. However those who talk about it will be smashed... If the SP has such divisive tendencies, it is my appeal to them to keep it limited to themselves and their party.Yogi Adityanath
On the Kasganj violence in which one youth was killed on the Republic Day, Adityanath said his government will deal with such elements sternly.
The countrymen are committed to upholding the honour of the tiranga and will not let go of any person who forcefully tries to stop tiranga yatra.Yogi Adityanath
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