CM Yogi accuses Congress, SP of indulging in ‘divide and rule’ policy

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, sharply criticizing Opposition parties, said, “The Congress, Samajwadi Party, and independent alliances continue to follow the British ‘divide and rule’ policy, creating divisions in society based on caste, community, and religion to undermine national unity and integrity.”

Speaking at a state-level workshop here on Friday on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary campaign, the chief minister highlighted how the British conspired to divide the country into multiple parts, ensuring that India could never be united when the country was gaining independence. However, the Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, with his extraordinary vision and determination, merged 563 princely states into the Indian Republic, strengthening national unity, he added.

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He stated that the United India, spanning from north to south and east to west, is a gift from Sardar Patel. To honour him, National Unity Day has been celebrated every year on 31 October under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the past 11 years.

CM Yogi stated that the BJP, along with the Central and state governments, is working to realise Sardar Patel’s dream of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. He emphasised that when the Opposition engages in divisive politics, it is the BJP’s responsibility to spread the message of unity and integrity to every village and assembly.

The chief minister announced a ‘Run for Unity’ to be held across the state on October 31 and from 1 to 26 November, an 8-10 km long ‘Ekta Padyatra’ to take place in every assembly constituency. Retired army personnel, farmers, workers, BJP-affiliated organizations, NSS, NCC, and Scout & Guide members will participate.

During the Padyatra, slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai,’ ‘Vande Mataram’, and ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Amar Rahein’ will be raised. Halts will be arranged at every two kilometres to facilitate interaction with local communities and spread the message of unity.

The chief minister emphasized that this program should not be merely ceremonial; every worker must ensure active participation. From booth-level workers to district officials, everyone must be involved.

CM Yogi announced that Constitution Day will be celebrated on November 26 to honour Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. On this day, five youths from each district will be sent to Delhi and will participate in a march to Gujarat from 26 November to 6 December. This journey aims to inspire youth nationwide by highlighting the contributions of both Sardar Patel and Baba Saheb.

The chief minister said those who tried to break India’s unity in 1946–47 could never have imagined that India would surpass Britain to become the fourth-largest economy and soon emerge as the third-largest economy. He stated that making India a developed nation by 2047 should be the commitment of every Indian. He urged citizens to purchase swadeshi products during festivals to support local artisans, women’s groups, and the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, emphasizing that buying indigenous goods strengthens the nation’s economy.

The workshop was attended by BJP state president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, BJP General Secretary(organisation) Dharmpal, coordinator Sanjay Rai, state vice-president Devesh Kori, BJP state minister Shankar Lodhi, along with a large number of state officials, elected representatives, and organisational workers.