Jhansi: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Friday said the central government's target and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' by the centenary year of India's freedom in 2047 is receiving overwhelming support from people across the state and country. He was addressing a press meet on the first day of his two-day visit to Jhansi, ahead of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's two-day visit starting Saturday.
BJP's Electoral Success
Maurya stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections for the third consecutive time with the support of its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies. He highlighted that the BJP also secured victories in assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam, proving its dominance. He asserted that the BJP is poised to win the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections for the third time in 2027 and will also emerge victorious in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab.
Achievements of Central Government
Highlighting the central government's achievements, Maurya praised India's foreign policies, stating that the country always stands by the truth. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the only leader globally to have received the highest honors from 35 countries, a testament to his global leadership.
Response to Opposition Allegations
When asked about rumors of Samajwadi Party (SP) legislators defecting to the BJP, Maurya denied any such efforts, saying the BJP does not believe in breaking other parties or contacting rival members. However, he predicted that after the 2027 state elections, which the BJP will win, the SP's position will worsen, becoming even more diminished than the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and confined to being a 'Saifai Party'.
On questions regarding financial irregularities in the Ram Mandir construction, Maurya stated that an investigation is ongoing and conclusions can only be drawn after reports are submitted. He assured that anyone found guilty will be punished.
Reaction to Akhilesh Yadav's Statements
Responding to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's demand for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into frequent visits by BJP leaders to Ayodhya and alleged financial irregularities in the Mathura temple, Maurya accused Yadav of being habitual of tweeting from Lucknow while being 'anti-Ram'. He described Ayodhya as a center of faith for millions of Hindus and alleged a conspiracy to malign Hindu culture by anti-Ram and anti-Hindu factions.
Regarding an opposition statement that Lord Ram belongs to Muslims as well, Maurya said there is nothing wrong with that, as Muslims were also Hindus earlier and Lord Ram is an ancestor of all. He clarified that Hindus consider him God while others consider him an ancestor.
Reacting to Akhilesh Yadav's remark that Ayodhya would become a 'Kurukshetra' for the BJP, Maurya advised Yadav to refrain from such statements, emphasizing that Ayodhya is a religious faith center for millions and that the Ram Temple's construction after 500 years is a matter of pride.
Defense of Champat Rai and Shivpal Yadav
Maurya defended Champat Rai, calling him a great and respectable 'Ram Bhakt' devoted to the Lord Ram and the temple work. When asked about SP's Shivpal Singh Yadav's challenge that he had defeated Maurya several times, Maurya acknowledged Shivpal as a big leader but suggested he focus on his nephew instead of worrying about Maurya.
