Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath challenged Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to contest an election from Ayodhya during a public rally in Balrampur on Saturday. Framing the temple city as a symbol of faith and development, Adityanath also launched a broad attack on the Opposition over law and order, alleged corruption and political decisions.
Responding to Akhilesh Yadav's remarks challenging him over Ayodhya, the Chief Minister invited the SP leader to file his nomination from the constituency. Adityanath said he visited the temple town to support development and protect Uttar Pradesh's identity.
"Akhilesh ji, I offer you a challenge. You file your nomination from Shri Ayodhya Dham, and I will also file mine. Let us test our luck once," he said.
Yogi Calls Ayodhya a Symbol of Faith and Development
Adityanath argued that Ayodhya should not be viewed merely as an electoral battleground. He described it as sacred land and said his government's visits and initiatives were focused on development rather than political competition.
The Chief Minister also contrasted Ayodhya's past with its present, claiming that the city had set a new example. He said his administration was working to advance development while safeguarding the state's reputation.
Opposition Faces Allegations Over Law and Order
Adityanath accused previous governments of allowing lawlessness and enabling land grabs by criminal elements. He alleged that traders had faced pressure from people associated with the Samajwadi Party and were forced to surrender their properties.
Referring to Balrampur, he said the district's roads were among the state's worst before 2017 and questioned the development achieved under earlier administrations. He also claimed that changing voting patterns had helped move the region away from smuggling and lawlessness towards greater development opportunities.
Rajya Sabha Nominations and PDA Slogan Targeted
The Chief Minister criticised the Samajwadi Party's recent Rajya Sabha nominations, alleging that the party had not nominated a Dalit candidate. He further claimed that one seat had gone to Akhilesh Yadav's uncle and another to a wealthy businessman in exchange for money. These allegations were made as part of his political attack on the SP.
Taking aim at the party's PDA slogan, Adityanath sarcastically referred to it as "Parivar Development Authority", accusing the leadership of prioritising family interests.
Congress and SP Accused of Political Double Standards
Adityanath also targeted the Congress and its allies over their positions on the Ram temple and Kashi Vishwanath Dham. He accused Opposition leaders of misleading the public, using inappropriate language and presiding over corruption during their respective periods in power.
He further criticised Opposition parties for questioning electronic voting machines after electoral defeats while accepting results when they won. The remarks formed part of his wider attack on the Congress and Samajwadi Party during the Balrampur rally.
The challenge to Akhilesh Yadav over Ayodhya thus became a central part of Adityanath's address, linking electoral politics with his government's claims on development, religious heritage and governance.
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