‘UP can become Kashmir, Kerala, Bengal if BJP not voted back’, says Yogi Adityanath; Oppn reacts strongly

New Delhi, February 10

Uttar Pradesh can become Kashmir, Kerala or Bengal if BJP is not voted back to power, State Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said hours before the first round of elections in UP on Thursday, evoking sharp reactions from opposition leaders, including from the three states, as they alleged that it was an attempt to polarise people in the state.

Reacting strongly to the UP CM’s comments, his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan said if the north Indian state develops like Kerala, people will enjoy the peace and better living conditions while Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took a dig at Yogi Adityanath, saying UP “should be so lucky” as Kashmir’s beauty, Bengal’s culture and Kerala’s education would do wonders for the place.

In a six-minute video message on Twitter, the UP chief minister said a vote for him will be a “guarantee of fear-free life”, asserting that the time for a big decision has come.

“Beware! If you miss this time, the five-year effort will be washed away. And it will take no time for UP to become Kashmir, Kerala or Bengal. This vote will be your guarantee to a life without fear,” Yogi Adityanath said in his appeal to voters.

While non-BJP political parties in West Bengal alleged that it was an “attempt to polarise people of his state” and will fail, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah attacked Yogi Adityanath, saying, “He should be so lucky. J&K has less poverty, better human development indices, less crime & generally better standards of living than UP.”

“What we lack is good governance over the last 3-4 years but that is a temporary phenomenon,” Abdullah tweeted.

In an apparent response to Yogi Adityanath’s remarks, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said India is beautiful in all its colours and “don’t insult the spirit” of the country.

“There is strength in our Union. Our Union of Cultures. Our Union of Diversity. Our Union of Languages. Our Union of People. Our Union of States,” Gandhi tweeted.

“From Kashmir to Kerala. From Gujarat to West Bengal. India is beautiful in all its colours. Don’t insult the spirit of India,” he said, without naming anyone.

Tharoor said, “UP will turn into Kashmir, Bengal or Kerala if BJP doesn’t come to power, @myogiadityanath tells voters. UP should be so lucky!! Kashmir’s beauty, Bengal’s culture & Kerala’s education would do wonders for the place. UP’s wonderful: pity about its Govt.”

Responding to the UP Chief Minister’s remarks, Vijayan tweeted, “If UP turns into Kerala as @myogiadityanath fears, it will enjoy the best education, health services, social welfare, living standards and have a harmonious society in which people won’t be murdered in the name of religion and caste. That’s what the people of UP would want.”

The Chief Minister also tweeted the same in Hindi and tagged his UP counterpart.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan in Kerala also launched a scathing attack on Adityanath for his alleged disparaging comments against Kerala and urged the people of Uttar Pradesh to choose plurality, harmony, inclusive development to medieval bigotry.

“Dear #UP, vote to be like Kerala. Choose plurality, harmony, inclusive development to medieval bigotry. Keralites, Bengalis and Kashmiris are also proud Indians. #kerala #democracy #religiousharmony #UPElections2022,” Satheesan, a Congress leader, tweeted.

Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen said that Adityanath is desperately trying to divide people, “which is an old game of the BJP when it finds the going tough”.

“The BJP has sensed defeat in the upcoming UP elections, which is why it is now trying to sow discord among people of the northern state by portraying amity and peace in West Bengal in a negative light.

“West Bengal will never become Adityanath’s UP, instead UP will set an example of harmony and amity by dislodging him from power,” the TMC leader said.

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said Adityanath’s comments were a “blatant attempt at polarising the peace-loving people of UP”.

“We don’t subscribe to Adityanath’s vision of India, which is an affront on our mosaic of different faiths and religions. We oppose his idea of Hindu Rashtra,” the CPI(M) central committee member said.

Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that Adityanath knows nothing about the eastern state and its secular traditions.

The state unit of the BJP, however, claimed that the UP Chief Minister was referring to the law and order situation in West Bengal.

“He referred to the law and order situation in West Bengal. The entire country knows how our party workers were killed, and women family members of our supporters raped by TMC goons during post-poll violence. The situation in UP is far better than in West Bengal,” BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said.