LUCKNOW Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday accused the JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand of “patronising the mafia” and urged people to vote for the BJP, which will “bulldoze” them.

“The coalition is patronizing the mafia in sectors like land, sand, forest, mining and liquor in Jharkhand. Like UP, bring the BJP to power in Jharkhand to destroy the mafia,” the CM said while kicking off his election campaign in Jharkhand by addressing rallies in Koderma, Barkatha, Barkagaon, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Potka and Jugsalai.

Adityanath called on voters not to be divided on the basis of caste, region and language, emphasizing that they showed their common strength in the ballot box.

Hitting out at the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance government, Adityanath warned people about potential demographic change in Jharkhand at a time when Rohingya infiltration is on the rise. “Those who are divided in the name of caste are the same people who will not be there for you in times of crisis. Since 1947, the Congress has created wounds in the country; “RJD did the same in Bihar and JMM in Jharkhand,” he said.

“Increasing Rohingya infiltration into Jharkhand is changing the demographics of the state. If it continues like this, those who prevent marches today may not allow bells and bells to ring in houses tomorrow. “History has shown that whenever we are divided along lines of caste, region or language, we suffer greatly,” he emphasized.

Expressing concern over Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltration in Jharkhand, he said the audacity of these elements was seen when they resorted to pelting stones on Maa Durga and Ram Navami processions during festivals. “This was the scenario in UP before 2017, but now those who attempt such acts face strict consequences. There is no curfew or unrest in UP now; “There is absolute peace,” he added.

UP CM emphasized that just as stone pelting was dealt with in Kashmir, Naxalism will also be eliminated from Jharkhand with the BJP government coming to power. Adityanath said that before 2017, stone collectors disrupted festivals in politically protected UP, but now with the crackdown on the mafia, such elements have either left UP or “embarked on a journey to hell”.

Adityanath also claimed: “Just as Aurangzeb plundered the country’s wealth and destroyed temples, the JMM-led coalition and its ministers, including Alamgir Alam, also plundered the people of Jharkhand.” He said that in May, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Alam’s personal secretary and the Congress leader’s local aide after they received millions of rupees in cash from an agency under them.

He said the BJP was the only party that could “guarantee the security and pride of the country, women empowerment and employment to the youth”.

Adityanath alleged that the Congress was “creating hurdles” in the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. But when the people entrusted Narendra Modi with the leadership of the country and formed a BJP government in UP, a 500-year-old problem was solved, he added.

“Ram Lalla now resides in that temple after 500 years and the consecration of the Ram temple paved the way for Mathura and other temples,” he added.

Speaking on national security, the CM underlined India’s strengthened stance under the BJP government. “During Congress’ rule, China would intrude into our territory; Today, their forces are withdrawing due to strong patrols by the Indian army. Pakistan also trembles at the name of India. They are now voicing their fears openly at the UN, saying they need protection against a potential Indian attack. “We need a government that instills fear in our enemies,” he said.

Highlighting the transformation in UP, Adityanath said that before 2017, mafias roamed freely freely, but since the bulldozers started working, even the most notorious ones have fled UP.