BJP govt has put Aligarh 'taala' on riots, says Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that Uttar Pradesh was known for its 'taala, taaleem and tehzeeb' (locks, education and etiquette) but the "dynasts with casteist" mindset shut down lock manufacturing units.
Addressing a rally in Aligarh ahead of the second phase of urban local body elections to be held on May 11, Yogi said that the double engine government made the best use of Aligarh locks by putting them on riots.
"It was BJP's double engine government which started building a state university in the name of Maharaja Mahendra Pratap Singh who was at the forefront of the country's independence," the CM said, adding that the step was taken "on people's demand" after the land became available.
"The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) did not even have a plaque of Maharaja Mahendra Pratap Singh, who had given his own land for the construction of the university," Yogi said. Yogi's statement attains importance in view of the row that had erupted around five years ago over the existence of a portrait of Pakistan founder and Muslim league leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah in AMU gallery.
"The BJP government made the best use of Aligarh locks by putting them on riots," he said.
UP was known for 'tala, taleem and tehzeeb' but the dynasts who had casteist mindset shut down the lock manufacturing units. They had nothing to do with 'taleem' and 'tehzeeb'. They gave guns to the youth, while our government is giving tablets to them," Yogi said.
Aligarh was one of the mayoral seats which the BJP lost to BSP in the 2017 civic elections.
He said that an MoU has been signed with the Airport Authority of India for the construction of an airport in Aligarh. "A node of the Defence Corridor is being built in Aligarh. Also, construction of four-lane highway from Ghaziabad to Kanpur via Aligarh is going on at a fast pace," he said.
Yogi said that the coming of power plant in Harduaganj would make Aligarh the centre of energy production.
Yogi admonished the opposition for "dividing the society on the basis of appeasement and creating gulf amongst people". "Fear gripped people ahead of festivals. Curfew used to stay for long periods. Business had came to a halt," he said.
The CM said that UP and India witnessed drastic changes in the last nine years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The government worked to put a complete end to terrorism, naxalism and separatism in the country. Wherever Indians go, they are treated with respect. The country's global prestige has gone up significantly while massive infrastructural development is underway in highways, railways, metro, rapid rail, airports and waterway in addition to setting up of IIMs, IITs etc.," he said.
Yogi said that the opposition governments could not deliver even 10% of the welfare schemes, which were being implemented by the BJP government. He cited schemes like PMAY, Ayushman Yojana, besides the provision of free anti-Covid vaccines and free ration to the poor.
Yogi said, "Today, Kashi Vishwanath Dham is being constructed in Kashi whereas Mathura and Vrindavan are being decorated. Beautification of Naimisharanya, Vindhyavasini Dham, Lalapur of Valmiki, Chitrakoot and Rajapur of Tulsidas is also underway," he said, adding that while the previous government did appeasement, his government worked on empowering people.
The CM also addressed rallies in Badaun, Shahjahanpur and Bareilly.
In Badaun, Yogi said that Ganga Expressway, passing through Badaun, would link Meerut on one side and Prayagraj on the other. "Whether you want to go to Delhi or Prayagraj, you will have to go via Badaun. With this Badaun will emerge as a destination hub. The BJP government is soon going to work on sewer lines and provide pure drinking water under Har Ghar Jal Yojana in Badaun," he said.
In Shahjahanpur, the new mayoral seat, Yogi described the district as the land of revolutionaries like Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan and Thakur Roshan Singh who raised the army of freedom fighters. He said that a museum was being built in Shahjahanpur to preserve their memories.
He said the city would be connected to Ganga Expressway while a ropeway facility was being arranged in Hanumat Dham.
"For the first time, municipal elections are being held in Shahjahanpur. Efforts are being made to provide the benefits of basic facilities of urban development to people. With the formation of municipal corporation, GDP of the district will increase giving a boost to the economy," the CM said.