Prime Minister Modi Blames Mafia Rule and Dynasty Politics for Azamgarh's Backwardness

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed the backwardness of Azamgarh, a former Samajwadi Party stronghold with a sizable Muslim population that the BJP formerly referred to as a “breeding ground for terrorists,” to “mafia rule and fanaticism” in addition to “dynasty politics” on Sunday.

Speaking at a rally in the district-cum-constituency, where Akhilesh Yadav, the party president, is being fielded by the Samajwadis, Modi presented the BJP as the only option for regional development.

The Prime Minister declared, "The people of Azamgarh have seen the danger of mafia rule and fanaticism, and they are now also witnessing the rule of law."

He appeared to be making reference to Mukhtar Ansari, a party animal from the nearby Mau area who is incarcerated for life after being found guilty of murder. Ansari, a former MLA who was seen as having ties to the Samajwadis, is charged with inciting violence against the community.

On Sunday, Modi used a remote control to open the Manduri airport in Azamgarh as well as a number of new airport terminals in Delhi, Aligarh, Moradabad, Chitrakoot, Shravasti, and other locations.

"Aligarh, Moradabad, Chitrakoot, and Sravasti were formerly regarded as unimportant, backward cities. However, due to the city' rapid development, air services have now begun to operate there. At his first rally in Uttar Pradesh following the release of the BJP's initial slate of candidates for the general election, he stated, "Industrial activities are expanding there."

"Quaint little cities also deserve decent highways and airports." The current rapid urbanization should have been completed thirty years ago, Modi continued.

Along with many other places, we also launched or lay the groundwork for numerous railway projects today in Shahjahanpur, Ghazipur, Prayagraj, Azamgarh, and many more. Today, I also lay the groundwork for numerous highways.

"Such development was impossible when there was a parivarwadi (dynasty) and corrupt government," Modi added, criticizing Akhilesh without naming him. Not only did Azamgarh and eastern Uttar Pradesh in general fall behind in terms of growth, but their reputation was also damaged. The nation as a whole witnessed how prior administrations encouraged terrorism and forcefulness.

Three times as chief minister has been Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, and once by his son Akhilesh.

Numerous Azamgarh teenagers are incarcerated on terror-related allegations. The district was referred to be a “breeding ground for terrorists” by the BJP in 2014, the year that Modi became prime minister after initially running for office from nearby Varanasi.

Modi asserted that his administration was aiming to provide Azamgarh's youth with greater educational possibilities.

Akhilesh has a rival in the BJP in the form of Dinesh Lal Yadav, a Bhojpuri film actor and current MP from Azamgarh. In a 2022 by-election, Dinesh had defeated Dhamendra Yadav, the Samajwadi candidate, by almost 8,000 votes.

In Azamgarh in 2014 and Akhilesh in 2019, Mulayam emerged victorious. Later, in order to keep his Assembly seat, Akhilesh resigned and put his cousin Dharmendra forward for the by-election.

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