Politics
Bulldozer Politics in UP: Yogi Adityanath and Akhilesh Yadav Clash Over Law and Order
Bulldozer Politics in UP: Yogi Adityanath and Akhilesh Yadav Clash Over Law and Order
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hit out sharply at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for the latter’s recent remarks that after the 2027 UP polls, bulldozers would target Gorakhpur.
Yogi Adityanath, who has been at the forefront of a strong law-and-order policy, made it amply clear that operating a bulldozer entailed more than muscle power: It required both intelligent disposition and courage.
Addressing an event in Lucknow where appointment letters for government jobs were distributed, the Chief Minister said, “Everybody’s hands are not fit to operate a bulldozer. It needs a strong heart and an incisive mind. Only the stamina and determination of a bulldozer can handle it.”
This was in response to the audacious claim by Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday when he said the Samajwadi Party would send the BJP packing from power in Uttar Pradesh by 2027, and once in power, the bulldozers would turn towards Varanasi, the CM’s stronghold.
During a party gathering at the Lohia auditorium, an optimistic Akhilesh had predicted the 2027 UP assembly elections to be the fall of the BJP, whose repercussions would also be felt in national politics.
Returning immediately to the taunts of Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav replied, “Driving a bulldozer requires control over the steering, not brains.” Continuing further, he alluded to the mercurial nature of politics when he said, “You never know when those in power in UP and Delhi will change who controls the steering wheel.”
Akhilesh also attacked the UP government over its bulldozer drive, accusing it of using them to stroke its ego. Citing recent intervention by the Supreme Court in the state’s bulldozer actions, he said the apex court had on Monday said that guidelines should be laid down for bulldozer actions against accused persons. It had underlined that a structure cannot be demolished even when occupants have been convicted or found guilty in a case.
Akhilesh welcomed the Supreme Court’s observation and said it had stated that bulldozers were being used in an unconstitutional way and that the “bulldozer of justice” was finally in motion.
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The political exchange shows the increased heat in Uttar Pradesh between both leaders as they prepare for the next round of electoral battles. Equating the use of bulldozers with a larger battle over law, order, and good governance in the state.
