RAEBARELI: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, launched a sharp attack on state Congress president Ajay Rai over an alleged fish feast at a programme in Ayodhya, accusing the Congress leader of displaying “duplicity” by visiting Hanumangarhi to offer prayers and subsequently attending a programme where fish was allegedly served.
Yogi made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Raebareli, where he also criticised the Congress party’s political conduct and its approach towards religion and law and order.
“You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside-anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display,” Yogi said.
Taking a sharper swipe at Rai, the Chief Minister said, “Even a chameleon would be put to shame by these people; it would wonder what kind of human species this is-chanting ‘Ram-Ram’ inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out.”
Yogi described the alleged incident as reflective of what he called the Congress leader’s political history and also levelled allegations against Rai over his alleged conduct in connection with a past incident involving a mafia figure.
He said, “When a mafia don murdered his brother, this man did not testify against the criminal; instead, he knelt and bowed in submission before him.”
Yogi further claimed that the situation changed only after government action against the alleged mafia element.
“It was only when the government stepped in and crushed that mafia element that the situation changed; otherwise, these people had turned the state into a mafia-dominated territory, creating an identity crisis,” he said.
The remarks came after Rai attended a programme in Ayodhya organised by members of the Nishad community. The alleged fish feast subsequently became a political issue, with the BJP and Congress trading accusations over the event.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s criticism, Rai rejected the allegation and challenged Yogi to provide photographic evidence.
“The CM is criticising; does the CM have any photos? If he can produce any pictures, I will be ready to resign immediately,” Rai said.
Explaining his presence at the Ayodhya event, the Congress state president said that he had been invited by the Nishad Samaj to attend the programme.
“Nishad Samaj invited me to a program in Ayodhya yesterday. If they were getting fish prepared there, it would be their concern. I attended the program and returned,” Rai said.
The exchange has added another layer to the ongoing political confrontation between the BJP and Congress in Uttar Pradesh, with religious symbolism and the conduct of political leaders once again becoming the focus of sharp political attacks.
