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

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday issued a strong response to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's recent comments, saying he was a yogi and the nation came first for him.

Addressing a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra's Achalpur, Adityanath took a swipe at Kharge, saying that "for you (Kharge) Congress appeasement politics comes first." He also highlighted the BJP's 'katenge toh batenge' slogan, saying if they were divided, then Ganapati pooja would be attacked, lands would be grabbed under Land Jihad - situations that are not happening in UP today.

The Bihar-based Congress chief had earlier described Adityanath as a "fake yogi" and said such phrases like 'batenge toh katenge' could have been made by terrorists. However, Adityanath rejected Kharge's jibe saying he was genuinely a yogi with the nation above all else.

Congress leader Pawan Khera responded to Yogi Adityanath's comeback, saying that Congress party is about Bharat Jodo but BJP is into 'Bharat Todo'. He added that Congress president has kept mum because Kharge did not want to mention an incident involving his family in the past due to concerns over losing Muslim votes.

The statement from AAP came amidst Congress President’s recent jibes at the Yogi, who drew attention for his remarks targeting secular groups. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at the opposition saying that it is the only party to talk about "saffron terrorism" and "Hindu terror", and accused Congress of being anti-Hindu and anti-Sanatan.

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