New Delhi: While the second phase of polling for Uttar Pradesh is underway, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party winning the state Assembly polls by securing over 300 seats.


In an exclusive interview to news agency ANI, Yogi Adityanath said that the elections are a fight between 80 versus 20, wherein 80 per cent are those who back progress while 20 per cent people oppose everything and have a negative attitude.


BJP will secure over 300 seats in UP Assembly, it is 80 vs 20 election: Yogi Adityanath


Adityanath said that after the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections there is no doubt about the BJP forming the government. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the blessing of the people, the double-engine government is coming back for the tenure. Elections have taken an 80 versus 20 direction. Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Congress are upset and are on the back foot after the first phase," he said.


Giving clarification on his 80 vs 20 remarks which created a controversy, Yogi Aditynath said, " It's a reaction to action. I said 80% people are with BJP & 20% always oppose us & will do so this time too. I didn't say it in the context of religion or caste. 80% includes those who are happy with Govt's agenda of security & development."


"20 per cent are those people who always oppose everything. They opposed everything before and will continue doing so now. They have negative thinking. They back money and crime and will remain so. This is how this election is that of 80 versus 20," he said. After the first phase of the elections, it is clear that it really is a poll of 80 versus 20, Adityanath said. "80 per cent of people have supported BJP, and 20 per cent are those who wanted to oppose. (They) opposed vaccine (COVID), Ann Yojana, Expressways, One District One Medical College plan...They have opposed everything and will continue doing so," he added.


 Govt will function according to Constitution, not Sharia law: CM Yogi


Hitting out at religious fanatics, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that their dream of Gazva-e-Hind will not be fulfilled even till the "Qayamat", and the government will function according to the Constitution and not the Shariat law. Speaking further to ANI, CM Adityanath said, "I can say with utter clarity that this is new India, this is the India of world's most popular leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In this new India, development is for all and there will be appeasement of none."


 





The government works with the motto of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, he said. It works with the principle of Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. "The new India will work according to the Constitution, and not the Shariat. I also want to say it clearly that the dream of Gazva-e-Hind will not be fulfilled even till the Qayamat," he said.



Taking to Twitter, the CM had said, "Those who dream of Gazva-e-Hind, religious fanatics of Talibani thinking, understand this... India will run according to the constitution, not according to Shariat...!"


CM Yogi on Karnataka Hijab Row


Speaking on the latest uproar in the country over Hijab which began in Karnataka, Adityanath, cleared his stance and said that a proper dress code should be followed in schools, adding that he never asked the public or workers in UP to wear saffron for what they wear is their personal choice.


"I strongly believe that the system should run as per the Indian Constitution. We cannot impose our personal beliefs, our fundamental rights, our personal likes and dislikes on the country or institutions. Am I asking the people and workers in UP to wear saffron? What they want to wear is their choice. But in schools, there should be a dress code. This is the matter of schools and the discipline in schools."


The Chief Minister also said that one's personal belief is separate, "but when one talks about institutions, then one has to accept the rules there, he said. In a national context, the Constitution should be followed."


Yogi Adityanath defends his 'UP can become like Bengal, Kerala remark': CM Yogi


Countering the fume that racked up over his remark that Uttar Pradesh can become like West Bengal and Kerala if BJP is not voted back to power, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that he had alerted the people of the state ahead of Assembly elections. 


 "These people are coming from Bengal and spreading anarchy here. For this, it was necessary to alert people against it saying that 'be alert - the security, respect that you are getting, people have come to disrupt that and do not let that happen'. It was my responsibility to alert people", Adityanath said. 


Highlighting the incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal after Assembly elections in the state last year, Adityanath said, "I want to ask, are elections held this peacefully in Bengal? Recently, Bengal held Vidhan Sabah elections and BJP workers were tortured. Booths were captured. Anarchy was at its peak. Several people were killed. Similar was the case in Kerala. The violence, and political killings that have happened in these two states, where else has it happened?"


Yogi Adityanath hits out at Samajwadi Party and takes a jibe at Congress


Targetting the opposition parties, Yogi Adityanath commented on SP Leader Azam Khan's release from jail and said that Yadav does not want former minister and party leader Azam Khan to come out of prison because it will pose a threat to his position.


Adityanath said, "Even Akhilesh doesn't want Azam Khan to come out of prison because his (Akhilesh Yadav's) position will be in danger."


In the recent hearing, the Supreme Court refused to grant any relief to Azam Khan, who had sought interim bail to campaign in upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Khan has been lodged in Sitapur jail since February 2020 last year over several cases registered against him.



Yogi Adityanath also took a jibe at the Congress party and said, "the siblings (Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) are enough to ruin the Congress. No one else is needed for that."


PM Modi changed the agenda of politics in India: CM Yogi


Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "changing the agenda of politics in India", the Chief Minister said, "The politics of caste, creed, the family has been replaced by the politics of development, good governance, and betterment of villages, poor, farmers, youth, and women", said Yogi. 


"It is because of PM Modi's vision that development work has happened in Uttar Pradesh and our manifesto for the polls reflects our resolution. It shows the BJP's dedication to the public. The party has released its manifesto based on development, respect for faith and welfare of the poor. We have done it before, and are doing it now," he said.


The second phase of polling for the state Assembly is being conducted today. Altogether 55 Assembly constituencies are in the second phase covering nine districts of Saharanpur, Bijnor, Amroha, Sambhal, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Budaun and Shahjahanpur.