in an exclusive interview with Praveen Kumar At TOI’s ‘Destination Uttar Pradesh’ conference, CM Yogi Adityanath Find out what inspired him to join politics in the 90s.
In 1994, when Gorakhpur was infested with crime, you were appointed as the successor of the Goraksha Peeth. You were young and obviously you must have been facing dangers. So, did you get the initial training in dealing with criminals and mafia?
It is around 1994-95. There was a well-known family of Gorakhpur which had two big havelis. The state government had allotted both the havelis to the mafia. The family demolished both buildings. I met the family the day they demolished the buildings and asked what had happened. The man said that if he hadn’t demolished the buildings, he would have lost everything, but now at least he could keep the land. In another incident, I got a call from a wealthy man from Gorakhpur. He said that his house is occupied by a minister. I reached the site to see that his belongings were being thrown out. I told him that the owners have not sold this building, so how can anyone take it. People were watching but no one was doing anything. When the mafia waved some papers on my face, I told the public to beat them.
Such incidents forced me to join politics. Now no one can do this kind of action in UP. All criminals know that if they try to take illegal possession of anything they will have to face bulldozers.
Your opponents say that the government’s action is selective.
Mafia is mafia. It should not be linked to caste, community or religion. Mafia is the enemy of the society and it is worse than coronavirus.
In the last election, BJP CM went without face and got historic mandate. You are the face now and this election looks like a referendum on your work. Does that bother you?
We don’t panic. When we were fighting the mafia alone, we were not nervous. When we were fighting encephalitis, we did not panic. Whatever success has been seen in UP has been due to the inspirational leadership and guidance of the PM.
Will you be disappointed if you get 250 seats?
I am sure we will not get less than 350 seats
The SP says that its rallies are getting huge support.
Everyone can see how much support they are getting. We saw in his behavior in Kanpur… how confident he is. They are trying to spoil the environment, but they will not succeed.
In 1994, when Gorakhpur was infested with crime, you were appointed as the successor of the Goraksha Peeth. You were young and obviously you must have been facing dangers. So, did you get the initial training in dealing with criminals and mafia?
It is around 1994-95. There was a well-known family of Gorakhpur which had two big havelis. The state government had allotted both the havelis to the mafia. The family demolished both buildings. I met the family the day they demolished the buildings and asked what had happened. The man said that if he hadn’t demolished the buildings, he would have lost everything, but now at least he could keep the land. In another incident, I got a call from a wealthy man from Gorakhpur. He said that his house is occupied by a minister. I reached the site to see that his belongings were being thrown out. I told him that the owners have not sold this building, so how can anyone take it. People were watching but no one was doing anything. When the mafia waved some papers on my face, I told the public to beat them.
Such incidents forced me to join politics. Now no one can do this kind of action in UP. All criminals know that if they try to take illegal possession of anything they will have to face bulldozers.
Your opponents say that the government’s action is selective.
Mafia is mafia. It should not be linked to caste, community or religion. Mafia is the enemy of the society and it is worse than coronavirus.
In the last election, BJP CM went without face and got historic mandate. You are the face now and this election looks like a referendum on your work. Does that bother you?
We don’t panic. When we were fighting the mafia alone, we were not nervous. When we were fighting encephalitis, we did not panic. Whatever success has been seen in UP has been due to the inspirational leadership and guidance of the PM.
Will you be disappointed if you get 250 seats?
I am sure we will not get less than 350 seats
The SP says that its rallies are getting huge support.
Everyone can see how much support they are getting. We saw in his behavior in Kanpur… how confident he is. They are trying to spoil the environment, but they will not succeed.
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