Critiquing the prior administrations of Uttar Pradesh for their handling of law and order, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asserted on Wednesday that even criminals are now hesitant to step foot in the state's correctional facilities.
The BJP stalwart emphasized that unlike the governance under the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP), his administration is committed to a "zero tolerance" stance against criminal activities. Addressing a gathering at Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, he warned, "Either refrain from engaging in criminal behavior or be prepared to face the consequences."
Adityanath reiterated his government's assertion that previously, criminals manipulated the system to secure bail, seeking refuge in jails. "Now they dread the idea of incarceration altogether. They express fear even at the thought of being imprisoned," he emphasized, as per an official statement.
His remarks followed the recent demise of incarcerated gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari due to cardiac arrest in Banda’s Rani Durgawati Medical College. Ansari, a five-time MLA with over 60 criminal cases against him, had been imprisoned in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005.
While a post-mortem confirmed cardiac arrest as the cause of death, a magisterial inquiry was initiated amidst opposition allegations of foul play, including Ansari's family's assertion of "slow poisoning" in Banda jail.
Reflecting on the state's past, Adityanath lamented the state of affairs before 2017 when police stations would cease operations post-sunset. "Criminals presumed our administration would continue this lax approach, but we adhere to a strict anti-crime policy," he asserted.
He further accused previous administrations of fostering unrest with their "riot-curfew policy," asserting, "Lawlessness among mafia and criminals directly affects public life. Uttar Pradesh bore the brunt of the Congress and SP's divisive strategies, with frequent riots disrupting peace. Today, however, we've bid farewell to riot curfews. Our state thrives on celebrations and stability, in line with Modi's vision."
Taking a swipe at the opposition INDIA bloc, Adityanath criticized their electoral strategies, noting their inability to field candidates in Lok Sabha elections due to internal discord. "Parties within the bloc may convene, but their unity lacks sincerity. In states like West Bengal and Kerala, we witness peculiar alliances where parties contest separately yet claim allegiance to each other. This disarray reflects their desperation," he remarked.
In Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath affirmed, the INDIA bloc resorts to various tactics to sway voters, confident in the electorate's support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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