LUCKNOW: Speaking ahead of the first day of the monsoon session of UP Assembly on Monday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath hit out at Samajwadi Party on the Ram Temple donation issue, indicating that the party had no right to talk about it as it had done everything to derail the temple construction over the years.“Those who are raising the Ayodhya issue are the same people who got shots fired at Ram Bhakts, those who used to get shots fired and lathicharge done if slogans of Jai Shri Ram were raised. They are the same people who sent an army of lawyers to court in the Ram Temple construction issue and tried to create hurdles. The people talking of chanda chori are those who have not given a rupee for the construction of the temple,” he said.The chief minister also accused the Opposition of displaying a “dual character” and alleged that the SP’s anti-farmer policies had forced farmers to die by suicide or migrate from the state. Highlighting his government’s record, he said over Rs 3.23 lakh crore had been paid as sugarcane dues, with more than 105 sugar mills clearing payments within five days of procurement, unlike during the previous SP government.Yogi announced that the Outsourcing Commission would be formally notified within the next 7–10 days. He said the supplementary budget, to be presented on Tuesday, would provide for an increase in the honorarium of outsourced workers, including Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, cooks and village watchmen.Urging the Opposition to ensure constructive debates during the session, he appealed to its members to “abandon the politics of negativity” and allow the legislature to function smoothly in the interest of Uttar Pradesh’s 25 crore people.Highlighting his government’s achievements since 2017, Yogi claimed more than six crore people had been lifted out of poverty, while women’s workforce participation had risen to 37–38%. He also credited improved law and order and ease of doing business for creating investment opportunities and jobs for lakhs of youth.The chief minister also paid tribute to Lord Shiv devotees, saying the government, local administration and voluntary organisations had made extensive arrangements to ensure the safety and convenience of Kanwar Yatra pilgrims. He added that members of the Assembly and Legislative Council would be able to participate in the events after the Monsoon Session concludes on August 7.
