NAGPUR/AMARAVATI: Rallying voters at RSS’ Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh here, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to citizens to give a decisive mandate to BJP, while emphasising the symbolic and strategic importance of Nagpur for BJP and the Sangh. Adityanath urged people to secure a victory strong enough to forfeit deposits of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidates.
Launching a blistering attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, he said, “Instead of being angry with me, Kharge ji, direct your anger towards the Nizam. Under Nizam’s tyrannical rule, mothers and sisters faced widespread atrocities. You are attacking me because you can’t attack Razakars who burnt down your house and killed your family, for fear of losing votes. The Razakars burnt and killed Kharge ji’s mother, uncle and sister. Why does Congress hide this truth? Were historical injustices suppressed for vote-bank politics? Shouldn’t people know this reality now?” he asked.
Using Reshimbagh as an electoral vantage point, he rallied people across the city and outskirts to vote for Chandrashekhar Bawankule (Kamptee), Pravin Datke from Nagpur Central, where RSS Bhavan is situated, and Mohan Mate for Nagpur South. Adityanath praised the “double-engine” BJP govt, referring to the alliance between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre and Mahayuti govt in Maharashtra, as a partnership that benefits the state and nation. Highlighting the state’s historical legacy, he praised Maharashtra’s contribution to the nation, referencing figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who gave India a unified identity. The UP CM further invoked Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, stating Maharashtra and Nagpur are lands with deep national significance, adding “Who in India would not honour these figures with gratitude?”
Earlier, addressing a crowded rally at Achalpur in Amravati district, he warned against division of Hindu votes. Reflecting upon the Lok Sabha loss in Amravati, he said this harmed Hindu pride and urging voters to support Mahayuti candidates Pravin Tayade (Achalpur), Kewalram Kale (Melghat), and Umesh Yawalkar (Morshi). “If Hindu votes split again, the community will once again face humiliation,” he cautioned, adding that a united vote would uphold Hindu dignity across Maharashtra.
Criticizing MVA as a ‘Mahaanadi’ or ‘illiterate’ alliance, Adityanath accused it of turning Maharashtra into a “laboratory for dividing Hindu votes” and warned of cultural disruption that could impact the future of Hinduism. “A clear mandate for Mahayuti is essential to preserving Maharashtra’s legacy as a land of unity and pride for Hindus,” he said.
In Nagpur, Adityanath turned his attention to national security and Congress’ alleged failures, claiming India became safer under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. “Before 2014, Pakistan would launch terror attacks here. Today, this new India knows how to protect its borders and deal with terrorism, especially in Kashmir,” he said.
He criticised Congress’ approach to national security and accused them of compromising for political gain. “They compromised the security of the country for vote-bank politics. It didn’t want to scrap Article 370 because it wanted to secure votes in Kashmir rather than uphold Dr Ambedkar’s vision for India,” he argued.
Referencing the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Adityanath said, “After 500 years, Ram Lala’s presence in Ayodhya is a reality. Congress even questioned the existence of Ram and Krishna.”