'For A Yogi, Nation Is First': Adityanath's Comeback After Mallikarjun Kharge’s Jibe

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday delivered a strong counterattack to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's 'not a true yogi' remark, saying he prioritised the nation above all.

Adityanath, while addressing a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra's Achalpur, stated, "I am a yogi and the nation comes first for me. For you (Kharge), Congress appeasement politics comes first."

The CM took BJP's 'katenge toh batenge' slogan forward, saying that if the state is divided, it would be plagued by issues such as Ganapati pooja attacks, land exploitation, and threats to daughters' safety.

"However, in Uttar Pradesh today, there is no Love Jihad or Land Jihad," Adityanath stated.

Kharge's initial comments had sparked a political storm when he targeted Adityanath without naming him, saying that politicians who live as sadhus but become politicians are "terrorists."

In response to Kharge's remarks, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the BJP was into a different ideology altogether – spreading "Bharat Todo.”

"Congress is all about Bharat Jodo, while BJP speaks like 'Bharat Todo'," Khera stated.

Khera also brought up an incident involving Kharge's family and alleged that he had fabricated a story to avoid blame for his party's electoral losses in the state.

The Congress party has been under fire since Kharge made his comments, with the BJP accusing their leadership of embracing appeasement politics.

"These allegations are baseless," a BJP spokesperson said. "This is the true philosophy and DNA of the Congress, which is anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan."

As the battle for control of Maharashtra intensifies, both parties seem to be locked in a war of words, with Adityanath's return to form sending a stern message to his opponents.

The elections for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra will take place in a single phase on November 20, with the vote count scheduled for November 23.