Lucknow: Attacking the Trinamool Congress govt in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that lawlessness, violence and appeasement seen in Bengal are like the situation that prevailed in UP a decade ago and added that “bulldozer is not only used to construct roads but also to treat mafia”.“TMC is indulging in politics of appeasement, mafia rule and cut money (commission and paybacks for securing contracts), hindering the development of West Bengal,” Yogi said while campaigning for Bharatiya Janata Party candidates in Nandakumar, Kanthi Dakshin and Sonamukhi Assembly constituencies.Questioning Mamata Banerjee’s slogan of ‘Maa, Maati, Manush’, Yogi said that women felt unsafe in West Bengal, land was under the control of infiltrators and people were living in fear and helplessness.He called upon the people to bring about a change to restore Bengal’s cultural identity, security and path of development.As the supporters cheered him, Yogi said that those opposing ‘Vande Mataram’ should leave the country.“The lawlessness, violence and appeasement seen in Bengal now are like what prevailed in Uttar Pradesh before 2017. Earlier, riots occurred frequently and the state was labeled as Bimaru. After the formation of a double-engine govt in 2017, the situation changed significantly,” Yogi said.“Now, UP is known for strong law and order, zero riots and curfews, improved women’s safety and strict action against illegal activities, which has boosted industry and development,” he added.Yogi warned that anyone attempting to harm Bengal’s culture, heritage, women’s safety or youths would face strict action like in Uttar Pradesh.“UP’s bulldozer is not just for building roads but also for acting against the mafia. Such governance is effective under a double-engine govt,” he remarked.He alleged that attempts to change demography in districts like Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Nadia, Birbhum and Howrah would backfire on Mamata in elections.He accused the Mamata Banerjee government of trying to stop processions during Ram Navami and promoting illegal infiltration networks.He also questioned the silence of political leaders over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, calling their appeasement politics unacceptable. He stressed the need for fencing along the approximately 570-km border to curb infiltration and illegal activities.“Known as the cultural capital of the country, Bengal is now becoming a center of crime and disorder,” claimed Yogi.He said that while potato farmers in Uttar Pradesh get Rs 15-16 per kg, farmers in Bengal receive only Rs 1-1.5 per kg. He alleged that farmers are being pushed into debt and distress under TMC rule.He added that youths and industries were gradually shifting out of the state in search of green pastures.Pointing towards construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as a symbol of this transformation, he said Bengal now needs similar development, good governance and cultural revival.Paying tribute to Bengal’s rich cultural legacy, Yogi said it is a land of inspiration that has guided India.He recalled how Swami Vivekananda carried the message of Sanatan Dharma to the world and inspired pride in identity.He highlighted the contributions of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Lahiri Mahasaya and Syama Prasad Mukherjee, along with cultural icons like Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.He also highlighted the contributions of Swami Vivekananda, who instilled pride in Hindu identity, as well as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Pranavananda, founder of Bharat Sevashram Sangh.However, he said that today Bengal is grappling with appeasement, corruption, disorder and violence. “Farmers are not receiving fair prices for their produce, and the government has failed to provide necessary support,” he remarked.Yogi alleged that attempts to alter Bengal’s demography and politics of appeasement were obstructing development.“Bengal once contributed nearly one-third to India’s economy, but industries, MSMEs and cultural institutions have weakened over time due to political interference. BJP workers have been targeted and killed in a brazen manner under TMC’s watch,” Yogi said.
