Yogi takes jibe at Opposition: ‘At Maha Kumbh, people only found what they looked for’

The chief minister was delivering the Motion of Thanks after the Governor’s address.

Earlier in the day, senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey alleged that the government could not prepare properly for Maha Kumbh.

Pandey also pointed out that Kumbh and the Ganga is for everyone and not just one party, religion or people; while maintaining that there are several people in the SP who are “complete Sanatanis”.

However, Adityanath denied the allegations of mismanagment and in turn pointed to the “failures” of the previous SP government in organising the Kumbh Mela in 2013. He said the SP chief minister had made a “non-Sanatani” in charge of the 2013 event. referring to Azam Khan, the then minister for urban development, who was tasked with the responsibility.

Countering Pandey, Adityanath said that it was the Samajwadi Party that “played with faith”.

Adityanath, pointing towards SP MLAs, said, “Your chief minister did not have time to personally review or oversee the arrangements for Kumbh and instead made a non Sanatani as incharge of Kumbh. But I personally monitored and reviewed the preparations for Kumbh.”

Adityanath said that today’s Samajwadis are “neither Samajwadi (socialists) nor Sanatani in the true sense.”

He alleged that the 2013 Maha Kumbh was “full of corruption” and the Triveni Sangam was unfit for bathing at the time.

Claiming that Maha Kumbh has become a “symbol of unity” and several dignitaries from the country and but even abroad participated in it, Adityanath said that two grand events — Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj and Pran Pratistha of Ram Temple in Ayodhya last year — have become two major milestones that would strengthen the feeling of unity in the country.

Replying to Pandey, Adityanath said that if world-class facilities had not been developed, 63 crore people would not have taken bath in Maha Kumbh till date, with more expected as the event is set to conclude on Wednesday.

“There is no bias against anyone. Everyone is taking bath at the ghats… What could be a bigger message of unity? This is true Sanatan Dharma,” he said.

Adityanath claimed, “Socialists and leftists, blinded by their biases, fail to appreciate spiritual beauty. Their constant criticism exposes their questionable intentions. These remarks are not just targeting the Maha Kumbh but an insult to India’s cultural heritage and collective faith.”

He also denied the allegations of the Opposition that private property of local residents in Ayodhya was taken over forcefully and government property was being given for commercial use, saying that he understands the reasons for the SP’s “frustration” over Ayodhya. He also said that Army land, which was lying unused, has been re-notified to construct a museum for Temples from all across the country.

The CM also sought to explain the “economy of Maha Kumbh” to the Opposition, saying that crores of pilgrims, who came to Maha Kumbh and many on package tours to visit Ayodhya and Kashi along with Prayagraj travelled in busses, booked hotels, dharamshalas and other places and eat at local eateries, “generating a local economy”.