New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister welcomed Aparna Yadav into the BJP fold on Wednesday and said that the Samajwadi Party was on the backfoot since their first list of candidates comprised of criminals and mafias.
Speaking with reporters during his visit to Gautam Buddh Nagar, Yogi Adityanath said, "She (Aparna Yadav) liked BJP's 'double engine work' and PM Modi's vision. We welcome her in the the party. We hope that Aparna Yadav will strengthen BJP with her work."
Aparna Yadav, the younger daughter-in-law of Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, joined BJP on Wednesday in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and party state chief Swatantra Dev Singh.
Asserting that the Samajwadi Party wanted to bring 'maafiavad' in the state once again, Adityanath said, "In 5 years, rioters either left the state or were in jail...but as elections approached...Samajwadi Party's first list showed their criminal mentality."
"We gave a better atmosphere in the last 5 years with no riots, no discrimination in jobs, women security and development work being accelerated," the UP CM said.
Adityanath also hit out at BSP supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, saying they hesitated to come to Noida as they did not have any agenda for the growth and well-being of people.
Visiting Noida was considered a "jinx" among the leaders of political parties in the past, who believed that visiting the area was a bad omen for a chief minister.
"They were afraid. Their own lives and political power were the only things important for them. They had no agenda for the economic prosperity, health and well-being of the people of the state and hence, they were hesitant about visiting Gautam Buddh Nagar. But I have got multiple opportunities to visit Gautam Buddh Nagar, including during the pandemic," Adityanath said.
UP assembly election 2022 will be held in seven phases to elect 403 MLAs. Votes will be counted on March 10.
(With Inputs From ANI, PTI)