BJP Sent Him Home Even Before Polls: Akhilesh Yadav On Adityanath Contesting UP Election From Gorakhpur

This is the first time Adityanath will contest Assembly polls. While there was speculation that he may be fielded from Ayodhya, BJP decided to put him in the fray from Gorakhpur.

New Delhi: Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday took a swipe at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the announcement of CM Yogi Adityanath contesting the upcoming state election from Gorakhpur. 

Akhilesh Yadav jibed that he is thankful to the BJP for sending Yogi Adityanath "home".

At a press conference in Lucknow, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said: "I'm thankful to BJP. They have sent him home even before (polls), though people would have done it... Speculation was rife over Yogi Adityanath contesting from Ayodhya, Prayagraj... and then this", news agency ANI reported.

"As far as contesting elections is concerned, earlier it was said that he (Adityanath) will contest from Mathura, Prayagraj, Ayodhya or Deoband. I am happy that the BJP has already sent him home (Gorakhpur). Although he is in Gorakhpur, he had a ticket dated March 11 (counting of votes on March 10) booked for it earlier. I think that he should stay back in Gorakhpur and there is no need for him to return (to Lucknow). Heartiest congratulations," Akhilesh Yadav remarked, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He also told the ruling party that he would not let any more BJP MLAs or ministers join the Samajwadi Party.

"Let me tell BJP that I will not take any BJP MLA, minister anymore. They can deny tickets (to their leaders) if they wish to," said the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, as quoted by ANI.

The statement comes as many BJP MLAs and ministers including Swami Prasad Maurya, a prominent leader from the OBC community, quit the BJP. Sitting BJP MLAs Bhagwati Sagar, Vinay Shakya, Roshan Lal Verma, Mukesh Verma, and Brajesh Kumar Prajapati have also joined Samajwadi Party.

Meanwhile, after the BJP on Saturday released the first list of 107 candidates for the Uttar Pradesh assembly election fielding Yogi Adityanath from Gorakhpur Urban seat, the incumbent Chief Minister thanked the party leadership saying: "I am thankful to PM Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Central Parliamentary committee for fielding me from the Gorakhpur constituency. BJP works on the model of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas'".

He also expressed confidence in the party's prospects of returning to power as he said: "BJP will form govt in UP with full majority: UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Gorakhpur".

This is the first time Adityanath will contest Assembly polls. While there was speculation that he may be fielded from Ayodhya, BJP decided to put him in the fray from Gorakhpur, his traditional political turf which he has represented in Lok Sabha for five consecutive terms.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party has stitched a coalition of smaller outfits, emerging as the main challenger to BJP in the state.

Uttar Pradesh assembly election will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7. The polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27 and March 3 and 7. The counting of votes will take place on March 10. 

(With Agency Inputs)