Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has labelled Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, a "namuna" (character) and has accused the Congress of deliberately keeping the Ayodhya dispute unresolved.
In an ANI podcast, the Chief Minister also ridiculed Gandhi scion's much-publicised Bharat Jodo Yatra, dismissing it as part of a "Bharat Todo Abhiyaan" (campaign to break India).
"Bharat Jodo Yatra is a part of Bharat Todo Abhiyaan. He criticises India outside India. The country has understood his nature and intentions. Bharatiya Janata Party ke liye Rahul Gandhi jaise kuch namune rehne chahiye jisse rasta hamesha ke liye saaf hota rahe aur acha rahe (For the BJP, having a few specimens like Rahul Gandhi ensures a clear and smooth path ahead)," Yogi Adityanath said.
In an interview with ANI, Adityanath questioned what Congress had done in the last 60-100 years. "Why didn’t they build Ram Mandir? Why didn’t they abolish triple talaq or promote the Kumbh with pride? Today, Ayodhya is witnessing a grand transformation under PM Modi," he said.
Labels 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' as 'Bharat Todo Abhiyan'
The Uttar Pradesh CM criticised Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, calling it Bharat Todo Abhiyan (Campaign to Divide India).
"He criticises India outside India. His intentions are clear, and people understand his nature now. In politics, people like Rahul help clear the way for BJP permanently," Adityanath remarked.
Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra began on September 7, 2022, from Kanyakumari and ended in Srinagar on January 30, covering 3,970 km across 12 states and two Union territories.
Attacks Samajwadi Party, links them to Jinnah
Adityanath also targeted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying those who admire Jinnah shouldn’t teach history.
"We worship Ram, Krishna, and Shiva, so their blessings reflect in us. But those who praise Aurangzeb, Babar, and Jinnah will follow their ideology," he said.
He recalled how BJP honored Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with a unity run, while the opposition glorified Jinnah instead.
In 2021, Akhilesh Yadav had stated that "Patel, Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah studied in the same institute, became barristers, and helped India gain freedom."
Adityanath labeled such statements as "opportunistic politics", questioning their commitment to India’s heritage.
( With ANI inputs )
