SP govt patronized criminals, gave‘Atankgarh’ tag to Azamgarh: CM

Varanasi: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused Samajwadi Party of patronizing criminals and blamed it for denting the image of Azamgarh badly so much that it came to be known as Atankgarh (haven of terror).
The CM also made a sweeping attack on BSP Party and Congress alleging that when ministers in SP regime grabbed properties of Dalits in Rampur, these parties, which claim to be pro-Dalit, did nothing.
Sharpening attack on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav while addressing a public meeting in Sagadi assembly segment of his parliamentary constituency Azamgarh on Monday, Yogi said, “Azamgarh was the worst sufferer of the SP’s tradition of patronizing criminals and generated an identity crisis for the people of the district who were denied accommodation in hotels and dharmshalas in the country due to the tag.
“SP government’s patronage to criminals had given Azamgarh the tag of Atankgarh. After coming to power, our government worked to change its image,” said Yogi.
The talented youths of Azamgarh helped in developing the cities where they migrated, but their home district remained undeveloped, he added.
“We cracked down on mafia and criminals and their illegally earned properties are being bulldozed. So far properties worth Rs 1,900 crore of mafia has been seized. It is strange that the bulldozing of properties of mafia and criminals is hurting SP and Congress,” the CM said.
Paying tributes to BR Ambedkar on his 64th death anniversary, Yogi said, “A minister in SP government was grabbing the land of Dalits in Rampur, and BSP and Congress remained mook spectators. These parties have exploited Dalits, poor, women, and youths for coming to power. Congress ruled the country for 55 years while SP and BSP supported Congress-led UPA government, but the poor had to wait for BJP government to get homes, free power, water, LPG connections and benefits of welfare schemes.”
Cautioning people against Covid-19 and appealing them to get vaccinated as a new variant Omicron has been detected, Yogi taunted Akhilesh saying, “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I were making all efforts to ensure free test, treatment, ration and vaccination for people, the MP of this constituency had abandoned the people. When we tried to find the reason for his absence, it came to light that he went to England during first wave and Australia in second.”
Today 17 crore people in UP have been given vaccinated, but when vaccination had started he (Akhilesh) opposed it and said it is vaccine of Modi and BJP. Now, when abbajaan has taken jab, he should also do so because a new variant has arrived, he added.
“May be the vaccine also develops the habit of speaking truth in him and he will stop misleading people,” said Yogi.
Yogi, who laid foundation and inaugurated 37 projects worth Rs 122.43 crore, said, “Mulayam Singh Yadav had also been Azamgarh MP but the expressway, airport, university were made in Saifai only. Azamgarh was left for criminals and mafia to rule.”
Today Azamgarh is linked with Purvanchal-expressway, Gorakhpur Link-expressway, Prayagraj and Varanasi with four-lane highways while a state university is coming up, he said, adding, soon an airport will also become operational in Azamgarh.