Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters in various parts of poll-bound Karnataka on 7 May as part of the intense campaigning strategy of the party ahead of the crucial elections on 12 May.

At various places in Bidar and Belgavi Rural, the UP CM exhorted the people to vote for the saffron party and usher in Ram Rajya in the state.

“You are aware that Lord Ram was born in Uttar Pradesh but his greatest devotee, Lord Hanuman, was born in Karnataka,” said Adityanath as the crowd cheered.

“Ram Rajya is established when Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman come together,” he said, adding that the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and a BJP government led by BS Yeddyurappa in the state will establish Ram Rajya in Karnataka.

He then told the gathering what Ram Rajya means

“Everyone is happy in Ram Rajya. There is no problem in anyone’s life. Imagine if every poor gets a roof over his head, has a personal toilet, has access to LPG connection, has a job – this is Ram Rajya,” the CM explained.

“There are no barriers between people, no disintegration of societies; where everyone’s safety is guaranteed, everyone is given respect and where the bright future of everyone is ingrained – this is Ram Rajya,” added Adityanath.

The UP CM then attacked his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah.

“Within a year after coming to power in UP, our government waived off loans of 86 lakh farmers. In last five years many farmers in Karnataka committed suicide but the CM never visited any of the affected,” Adityanath said.

“Twenty-three BJP workers were killed in Karnataka but Congress supports the killers instead of showing sympathy,” he alleged adding, “This is why we say that Siddaramaiah government is against farmers, against youth and against development.”

Referring to his detractors, Adityanath thundered, “They ask me why I come to Karnataka so often. I will keep coming a thousand times.”

On 3 May, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah had taken a dig at Adityanath over the deaths of many people in Uttar Pradesh due to a dust storm.

Siddaramaiah took to Twitter and also expressed his condolences to the people who lost their lives in UP dust storm and thunder-storm.

“At least 64 people have lost their lives due to a storm in Uttar Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I am sorry your CM is needed here in Karnataka. I am sure he will return soon & attend to his work there,” he had tweeted.

Read More: Dust storm warning: UP CM Yogi Adityanath cuts short Karnataka campaign trip

At the time of the comment, the UP CM was in Karnataka. He later left for Uttar Pradesh and met the families of victims and the injured before returning to Karnataka.

On Monday, Siddaramaiah sent a legal notice to PM Modi, Amit Shah and BS Yeddyurappa accusing them of defaming him during the election campaign.

Read More: Siddaramaiah threatens PM Modi, Shah, BSY with Rs 100 crore defamation suit

Before addressing the rallies in Karnataka, Adityanath interacted with saints at Chennabasava Patta Devara Mutt in Bhalki and offered prayers at Sri Veerabhadreshwara Ji temple in Humnabad, both in Bidar.