Terrorist incidents were earlier linked to Azamgarh, today city has garnered global respect: CM Yogi

Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 16 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday asserted that whenever a terrorist incident took place in the country its links were established with Azamgarh and the district was defamed.
"However, those who defamed Azamgarh stand completely exposed today," CM Yogi said while addressing a public meeting in Lalganj Lok Sabha constituency in Azamgarh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to seek votes for Azamgarh candidate Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua and Lalganj candidate Neelam Sonkar.
Continuing his attack on the opposition, he alleged that development activities had come "to a grinding halt because the Congress-led (UPA) government was mired in corruption".
"The poor starved to death, farmers committed suicide, daughters and traders, were unsafe," he said.
He said the country has witnessed positive changes in the last 10 years, with increased global respect, secure borders and terrorism and Naxalism having been effectively tackled.
Highlighting 'Modi ki Guarantee', CM Yogi said that a university has been built in Azamgarh in the name of Maharaja Suheldev.
Azamgarh boasts of an airport today and is now connected via the Purvanchal Expressway.
"Azamgarh has transformed into a new symbol of progress within Uttar Pradesh, boasting exceptional four-lane connections to key destinations such as Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and various other districts. Previously, the mention of Azamgarh would elicit shock both nationally and internationally. Back then, residents encountered challenges when travelling domestically or abroad, as even lodging in Dharamshalas proved difficult to secure for those hailing from Azamgarh," he stated further.
He further said that the four phases of elections have been held and three phases are remaining.
"Without waiting for June 4, a voice is coming from the entire country: 'Phir ek baar Modi sarkar," he said.
The Chief Minister further said that Azamgarh residents are feeling a new sense of respect.
He talked about the collective anticipation for PM Modi's third term and cautioned against succumbing to misinformation.
State government ministers Surya Pratap Shahi, Dara Singh Chauhan, Om Prakash Rajbhar, MP Sangeeta Azad, BJP state general secretary Govind Narayan Shukla, Legislative Council Member Vijay Bahadur Pathak among others were present.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' from the Azamgarh seat for the Lok Sabha elections. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded Mashhood Ahmed from Azamgarh.
Dharmendra Yadav is Samajwadi Party candidate from the seat. He contested the 2022 bypolls from Azamgarh but lost to BJP candidate Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua', a popular Bhojpuri singer-actor.
Voting in Azamgarh will take place in the sixth phase on May 25 and votes will be counted on June 4.