Yogi Adityanath Targets CJP Protests, Accuses Opposition of Seeking Power Through Unrest

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday accused political opponents of using demands for electoral reforms and democratic rights to fuel unrest, asserting that governments derive their legitimacy from the people’s mandate.

His remarks came amid protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and Opposition groups.

In a strongly worded message on social media, Adityanath alleged that certain political forces wanted to replicate the kind of upheaval witnessed in Bangladesh by mobilising young people against the established political order.

He argued that public confidence, rather than agitation or political manoeuvring, remained the bedrock of Indian democracy.

Without identifying any organisation or individual by name, the Chief Minister said attempts to create instability under the banners of electoral reform, justice and democracy would not weaken the country’s democratic foundations.

He portrayed the youth as contributors to nation-building and accused some political actors of trying to use their energy to advance personal ambitions for power.

Adityanath also employed mythological references to attack his political opponents, claiming that voters had recognised and rejected those he described as deceptive figures in politics.

He maintained that efforts to capture power by creating disorder would not succeed in India.

Rajnath Singh accuses Congress of political opportunism

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also criticised the Opposition over the protests in Delhi.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh headquarters in Lucknow, Singh accused the Congress of exploiting the situation for political gain and alleged that the campaign was aimed at destabilising elected institutions.

Referring to comparisons between the demonstrations and the youth-led protests that preceded the change of government in Bangladesh, Singh claimed that some protest organisers had openly acknowledged drawing inspiration from those events.

He cited remarks about bringing down the government as evidence, in his view, of an attempt to generate political turmoil.

The minister alleged that the Opposition’s actions went beyond demands for electoral changes and risked undermining democratic institutions.

His comments reflected the BJP leadership’s broader criticism of the protests, which have become a point of political confrontation between the ruling party and its opponents.

Yogi attacks Samajwadi Party over education

Separately, while campaigning for BJP candidates contesting elections to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, Adityanath launched a fresh attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) at a public meeting in Ghaziabad.

The Chief Minister accused the SP of weakening the state’s education system during its previous terms in office and jeopardising opportunities for young people.

Using a metaphor about a crocodile promising to help someone cross a river, he argued that the party’s public statements in support of education did not match its record in government.

Adityanath alleged that periods of SP rule had been marked by serious concerns over education, employment and development, alongside riots, curfews and law-and-order problems.

These allegations formed part of his broader attempt to contrast the BJP government’s record with that of its principal regional rival.

He also questioned the consistency of rules applied to educational institutions under earlier administrations.

Referring to former SP minister Azam Khan and the controversy surrounding the recognition of educational institutions, the Chief Minister claimed that different organisations had been treated differently under the previous government.

He said the BJP administration had established a uniform framework for institutions.

SP’s candidate choices come under fire

The Chief Minister also questioned the SP’s approach to selecting candidates for Rajya Sabha elections, using the party’s slogan of PDA — referring to Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak (backward classes, Dalits and minorities) — to accuse its leadership of putting family and wealthy interests ahead of its stated social agenda.

In a political jibe, Adityanath reinterpreted the acronym as “Parivar Development Authority”. He alleged that the party had first favoured a family member and subsequently awarded a ticket to a wealthy industrialist from Mumbai.

The Chief Minister further claimed that the SP was failing to adhere to its own declared principles while distributing election tickets.

He expressed confidence that the BJP would perform better in the elections to 11 Legislative Council seats than it had in the previous Rajya Sabha elections.

The remarks underline the intensifying political contest in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP and the SP continue to trade accusations over governance, democratic accountability, education and the representation of social groups. The allegations made by the leaders reflect their respective political positions.