Mainpuri Residents Faced Identity Crisis Before 2017: Yogi Adityanath

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday that before 2017, the people of Mainpuri faced an 'identity crisis' as the region was neglected by previous governments. He contrasted this with the current situation under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule, calling Uttar Pradesh an 'Utsav Pradesh' (festival state). Addressing a gathering in Mainpuri, Adityanath alleged that recruitment processes under previous regimes were marred by corruption, with jobs being allocated based on monetary payments and recommendations rather than merit.

Allegations of Corrupt Recruitment Practices

Adityanath stated that prior to the BJP coming to power in 2017, government recruitment in Uttar Pradesh was not conducted fairly. "The youth of Uttar Pradesh were denied their rightful opportunities. Recruitment was influenced by money and recommendations," he claimed. The chief minister did not provide specific evidence but asserted that his government had implemented transparent selection processes.

Transformation Under BJP Rule

Describing the change after 2017, Adityanath said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, Uttar Pradesh has transformed into a state of development and festivals. "Today, Uttar Pradesh is recognised as Utsav Pradesh, where every festival is celebrated with enthusiasm and development projects are being completed on time," he said. He attributed this to the double-engine government at the centre and state.

Political Significance of Mainpuri

Mainpuri is a politically significant constituency in Uttar Pradesh, historically a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party and the family of former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Adityanath's visit and remarks are seen as an attempt to challenge the opposition's influence in the region. The identity crisis remark references the perceived neglect under the previous Samajwadi Party government. The chief minister's allegations come ahead of upcoming local elections in the state. The opposition has yet to respond to Adityanath's claims, but political analysts suggest that such statements aim to consolidate BJP's support base in the region.