Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, during a press briefing in Jhansi on Sunday, laid out an ambitious vision for the Bundelkhand region's transformation into a major industrial centre. He asserted that the state government's focus is on the holistic development of the region through numerous projects aimed at uplifting the poor.
Bundelkhand's Industrial Future and Women Empowerment Goals
Keshav Prasad Maurya declared that with the efforts of the "double-engine government," Bundelkhand will evolve into an industrial hub offering immense job opportunities, comparable to the National Capital Region (NCR). He emphasized that this development is a key priority for the state administration.
Further detailing social welfare targets, the Deputy CM stated that the government aims to connect three crore women across Uttar Pradesh with various self-help groups. From this vast network, a specific goal is to create one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' – women earning at least one lakh rupees annually.
On Electoral Rolls and Political Barbs
Maurya, who was in Jhansi for a short visit to interact with party workers and review the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, hailed the ongoing process. He noted that the SIR is being conducted in 12 states and that the BJP supports the move.
"Once it is completed, the era of 'booth loot' will stop," Maurya claimed, adding that those who used to win elections through rigging and come to power to "loot the state" will be halted. He connected the clean-up of voter lists to the broader goal of achieving 'Viksit UP' and 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 more effectively.
Responding to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's objection that the SIR is a tool for the BJP to doctor lists, Maurya launched a sharp counter-attack. He said Akhilesh Yadav has "lost his mental balance" after the BJP and its allies' overwhelming victory in the Bihar elections. Maurya predicted a dark future for the SP, suggesting that by 2047, the party would not even be able to sit in the opposition, let alone be in power.
Taking another jab, Maurya remarked that while SP supporters in their red caps seemed to pop up everywhere after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they have "suddenly vanished" following the Bihar results.
Reactions to Bengal and Corruption Allegations
The Deputy CM also reacted strongly to the foundation laying of a Babri Masjid replica in West Bengal's Murshidabad district by a suspended TMC leader. Maurya asserted that the BJP will win the 2026 elections in Bengal and the structure will be razed. He clarified that there is no objection to building a mosque, but constructing one in the name of a person who attacked the country is an insult and cannot be tolerated.
When asked about SP leader Ramgopal Yadav's accusations against the BJP regarding the cough syrup issue, Maurya turned the tables, stating that corruption, mafiaism, and hooliganism are the "patents of the Samajwadi Party." He assured that those at fault would be caught.
Earlier, while interacting with BJP workers, Maurya praised the discipline and hard work of party members. He contrasted the BJP's heartfelt respect for Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar with the SP's alleged attempts to woo Dalit votes, accusing the previous SP government of allowing party-backed goons to commit atrocities and snatch land from Dalits. He also referenced the restoration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, which he said was rebuilt after the structure erected by Babur was razed.
