Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday, 11 July launched a pointed attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) at a public gathering in Kushinagar, alleging that the previous SP government misappropriated funds received in the name of temples and failed to deliver development across the state. He simultaneously highlighted what he described as transformative gains under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration in healthcare, infrastructure, welfare, and connectivity.

The temple funds allegation

The sharpest charge of the day came when Adityanath accused the SP directly of financial misconduct. 'They used all the money they received in the name of temples,' he alleged, contrasting this with the BJP's claim of beautifying around 10 temples per minister in their respective constituencies. He also alleged that the SP had previously obstructed religious celebrations, saying the party 'did not allow people to celebrate Durga Puja properly and used to stop Janmashtami programmes.'

Attack on SP's governance record

Adityanath questioned the SP's credibility to criticise the present government, pointing to what he described as a decade of missed opportunities. 'Those who were unable to deliver are now busy making allegations. People who lacked the capability are trying to raise questions today,' he said. He challenged the Opposition to account for its own stints in power, noting that the SP had governed the state four times yet allegedly failed to provide houses or land ownership rights to the Musahar community.

He further alleged that before 2017 — when the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh — the state government suffered from 'policy paralysis,' lacking both intent and a clear governance framework.

Healthcare and welfare: BJP's claimed gains

Adityanath devoted a significant portion of his address to the encephalitis crisis that historically devastated eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly Kushinagar. He recalled that patients once had to travel to BRD Medical College for treatment due to the absence of local healthcare infrastructure. 'Today, encephalitis has been eradicated, and this is the result of our successful campaign against the disease,' he said.

The Chief Minister also cited welfare delivery to marginalised communities, listing land ownership rights, permanent housing, Ayushman health cards, free ration, Ujjwala LPG connections, and free electricity as measures that had reached the Musahar community under the BJP. 'Kushinagar today has a magnificent medical college and well-developed roads,' he added.

Air connectivity and Kushinagar International Airport

On the question of flight services, Adityanath acknowledged delays in expanding air connectivity from Kushinagar International Airport, attributing them to global disruptions — the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran — which he said had stalled delivery of new aircraft. He indicated that once aircraft become available, services will be expanded, and that the government is also working to link Kushinagar with Jewar Airport.

Felicitation of veteran party workers

During the event, Adityanath felicitated two senior BJP workers — Ram Vilash Bhagat and Ram Pravesh Sahni — both of whom he said had crossed 100 years of age while remaining committed to the party's ideology and principles.

The Kushinagar rally underscores the BJP's effort to consolidate its base in eastern Uttar Pradesh ahead of future electoral cycles, with Adityanath framing the governance contrast with the SP as a central political argument.