Centre, state’s measures will help BJP return to power in UP: Thakur
VARANASI: Union minister Anurag Thakur has said that the improved law and order situation, the Centre’s social welfare measures and developmental works carried out by the state will help the Bharatiya Janata Party return to power in Uttar Pradesh in the elections next year. Thakur was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the first Kashi Film Festival on Tuesday, when he said there would be minimal impact of the farmers’ protests (against the now repealed agricultural laws) on the elections.
“The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh has improved vastly during Yogi Adityanath’s tenure. Now you don’t see those motorbike gangs on the streets. People can live safely. The mothers and sisters of the state are no more worried about going out for work and women’s safety also translates into relief for all families,” Thakur, who is a party co-incharge for UP, said, adding that an improved law and order situation attracts more private investments as industrialists find themselves safe in the state. Thakur undercondition lined that relief measures such as additional free foodgrains and loan waivers amid the pandemic coupled with ongoing social welfare programmes such as pension, MGNREGS, housing for all and power connection will play a major role in the polls.
Thakur’s remarks bring back the focus on how the BJP has been trying to create a vote base out of the beneficiaries of social welfare measures in the state. During the 2019 general election too, a reach out to the beneficiaries of Centre’s welfare schemes were a key part of the party’s electoral campaign.
Countering Thakur, UP Congress spokesperson Zishan Haider said: “The BJP and its leaders speak far too many things. Now, people are waiting to give them a befitting reply.”