For A Yogi, Nation Is First: Adityanath's Comeback After Mallikarjun Kharge’s Jibe
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has come out with a strong response to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying he is a true yogi and puts the nation first, in sharp contrast to his party colleague’s comments on him.
In a scathing attack of sorts, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier described Adityanath as not a ‘true yogi,' while making a jibe at his remarks "batenge toh katenge" which are a part of the BJP's (BJP) 'katenge toh batenge' slogan meaning they would be wiped if divided.
The Congress leadership, however, found its footing quickly when Adityanath addressed a rally in Maharashtra’s Achalpur. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh went on to say that for an individual like him who is a yogi, the nation is first priority and not appeasement politics.
The comments come at a crucial time as elections are set to take place in India's most populous state Maharashtra where over 288 assembly seats will be up for grabs. The elections are expected to see a fierce contest between various political parties with the ruling BJP and opposition Congress party among them.
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera had earlier responded to Adityanath’s remarks, calling him an individual consumed by 'Bharat Todo' (let's destroy Bharat) instead of Bharat Jodo. Taking a dig at the opposition leader said that if Kharge Ji would have remembered this event where he lost his family because of it, he would not be talking against Yogi.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has accused Congress party of being 'anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan.' This statement takes cognizance of the recent controversy over senior Congress leader Kharge commenting that leaders who don sadhu-like attire are unworthy to sit in the parliament.
In response, the opposition alleged the government is trying to polarize the people of Maharashtra for the upcoming elections which could lead to a division where the safety of the citizens would be threatened. However, BJP stands by Yogi Adityanath’s remark stating that India will soon see Saffron terrorism and Love jihad turning into hate jiad.
The stage set for a showdown over these attacks on senior leaders is set. The election in Maharashtra are going to make an interesting test of loyalty between the people and various political parties with Congress taking an aggressive stance against BJP's Chief minister Yogi Adityanath while putting up its candidate, Eknath Shinde, as the CM in its support.