In a fiery rebuttal, UP Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar dismantled Samajwadi Party’s persistent attacks on the state’s law and order situation. Speaking exclusively to IANS in Lucknow on February 13, he painted a picture of dramatic improvement under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership.
‘Opposition thrives on criticism—it’s their election strategy,’ Rajbhar remarked. He reminded critics of the SP era’s frequent communal clashes and curfew impositions, contrasting it with the current calm. ‘No riots, no curfews—everything is fine here.’
Rajbhar went further, alleging that SP leaders once patronized criminals and mafias. ‘They want that goonda raj back,’ he said. Now, in Yogi’s UP, bulldozers stand ready for any mafia or rioter. ‘Fear grips the criminals and their protectors alike. Before causing trouble, they think twice about the bulldozer.’
The backdrop to this clash is SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav’s Thursday outburst. Yadav accused the BJP government of nurturing land mafias, with police turning ‘soft’ despite public outcry. He also decried the breakdown of Dial-100 services.
Rajbhar’s response reinforces the narrative of a tough-on-crime administration. Bulldozer diplomacy has not only demolished illegal structures but also the morale of anti-social elements. As political rhetoric heats up, Rajbhar’s words serve as a strong endorsement of the government’s achievements.
Looking ahead, this verbal sparring could intensify, with law and order remaining a key battleground. Rajbhar’s optimism reflects a broader BJP strategy to showcase security gains against opposition narratives of failure.