Lucknow, June 28 (IANS) Backing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s criticism of Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav over the latter’s recent remarks on Ayodhya, Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Sunday attacked the SP leadership for “never visiting” Lord Krishna’s birthplace during their terms as Chief Ministers.

Earlier on Sunday, Chief Minister Adityanath accused the Opposition leader and the SP of having a history of opposing Hindu religious traditions and questioning their commitment to the development of Ayodhya, a day after the SP Chief pledged that, if voted to power, his party would develop the temple town into a “peerless and inimitable sacred city”.

Referring to Mathura and Vrindavan, the Chief Minister said that if the Opposition genuinely wished to project itself as religious, it should openly support the honouring of the holy cities.

Speaking to IANS, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) Chief Om Prakash Rajbhar said: “A Yadav has become Chief Minister four times, and Akhilesh Yadav himself served as Chief Minister once. During those five years, did he ever visit Mathura? He (Yadav) says they are descendants of Lord Krishna.”

Referring to the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rajbhar added: “Neither his (Akhilesh’s) father went, nor did he, nor will anyone from his family go. Otherwise, I would say that if you truly are descendants of Lord Krishna, then come with us. We will lead the way, you follow us, and let a temple be built in Mathura. But they will run away.”

“These people are not here to stay. They only want to remain relevant by passing remarks,” the Uttar Pradesh Minister remarked.

While addressing a public gathering in Hathras, CM Adityanath said: “Let’s talk about Mathura. If you are really trying to call yourself religious, speak openly about Mathura, Vrindavan and the birthplace of Shri Krishna. The birthplace of Shri Krishna should also be honoured.”

The controversy erupted after the SP Chief in a post on social media platform X, said: “With devotion and integrity, we take this pledge that, by forming a new government, we shall develop ‘Ayodhya’ into a peerless and inimitable sacred city, where devotees from across the world will experience the unparalleled essence of true spirituality.”

–IANS

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