In Uttar Pradesh, the political conflict has once more centered around bulldozers. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav declared that if his party regains power, all bulldozers in the state will be directed toward Gorakhpur. Reacting sharply, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath countered by stating that not everyone is capable of operating a bulldozer effectively.
At an event on Wednesday, Yogi Adityanath launched a pointed attack on Akhilesh Yadav. He compared certain districts in the state to being terrorized by “man-eating wolves,” and said the situation was similar to the pre-2017 era. According to Adityanath, these individuals were wreaking havoc through extortion, with even Mahabharata-like relationships involved in the chaos—uncle and nephew working together for their personal gain. Reflecting on the past, he added, “Before 2017, those who looted the state are now seeing their dreams shattered. Now even Tipu is attempting to become a Sultan, dreaming like Mungerilal with his rosy fantasies.” Yogi further remarked that managing a bulldozer requires not just skill but both “heart and mind.” Only those with the right level of determination and strength can truly handle it.
…तो अब 'टीपू' भी चले सुल्तान बनने! pic.twitter.com/uFhC2iOgUS
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) September 4, 2024
Yogi Adityanath was addressing a large gathering after distributing appointment letters to 1,334 youths selected by the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission. During this speech, he remarked that “certain people are trying to return with a new makeover, but not everyone can handle a bulldozer.” Referring directly to Akhilesh Yadav’s earlier statement, where Yadav promised to direct bulldozers towards Gorakhpur if the SP came to power in 2027, Yogi dismissed such claims. He emphasized that not everyone is fit to handle the power and responsibility that comes with operating a bulldozer.
Yogi Adityanath highlighted the extent of corruption before 2017. He noted that previously, people didn’t receive appointment letters because of a lack of clear intentions from those in power. He accused both uncle and nephew—likely a reference to Akhilesh Yadav and other SP leaders—of engaging in a competition to see who could extort more money. “Territories were divided among them,” Yogi explained, adding that the situation was similar to Mahabharata’s multiple characters battling for control. “We could see a second Mahabharata playing out here,” he said, stressing that these leaders had been given an opportunity but failed to deliver, and therefore no longer deserve public trust. He added, “They will keep talking, because that’s all they have left.”
Taking a further jab at his political opponents, Yogi said that those who were involved in disorder before 2017 now find their dreams crushed. In a sarcastic reference, he mentioned, “Now Tipu is also trying to become a Sultan, dreaming like Mungerilal with his rosy fantasies.” He criticized these individuals for living in a world of illusions. Yogi reminded the public that when these leaders had the chance to govern, they played with people’s futures and now want to mislead them once again. He reiterated that only those with both the heart and mind, and the determination like a bulldozer, could effectively operate one. Concluding his remarks, Yogi stated that those who once cowered before rioters would crumble just as easily in the face of a bulldozer.
