Uttar Pradesh: Now BJP MLAs and minister call Yogi’s govt corrupt

Voices of dissent have started emanating from within the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh, after the party suffered ignominious defeats in the Kairana Lok Sabha and Noorpur assembly bypolls. BJP law makers and ministers in the state government have attacked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying he has failed to end corruption.

Two BJP MLAs, one from Ballia and another from Hardoi districts, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi but blamed Yogi and his government for failing to control corruption, which they say led to this defeat.

Suheldeo Bharatiya Samaj Party president and UP cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar too continued to raise his voice against the BJP-led state government government over misgovernance and prevailing corruption.

BJP MLA from Gopamau assembly segment in Hardoi district Shyam Prakash on June 1 alleged that state officers are corrupt. “Farmers aren't happy with government because officers are not listening to them. There are several other reasons responsible for party’s debacle,” he said, without elaborating further.

The MLA said, though, that he has nothing against government, it was officers who were bringing bad name to the government. "Corruption is on a rise, as compared to last government. That's the reason of my resentment," he said.

Shyam Prakash also wrote a five line poem on his Facebook account claiming that Modi is still the most popular leader of the country and BJP and no one can defeat him.

Another BJP MLA from Beria assembly segment in Ballia district Surendra Singh said CM Yogi should take responsibility for the defeat. “It is true that PM did not campaign in the bye-elections. But CM addressed two rallies. Thus, CM should take the blame,” he said, adding that such defeats have strengthened Opposition which has now ganged up against Prime Minister Modi.

He too claimed that there is corruption in the government. "The entire government is involved in corruption and the people are not getting the benefit of the welfare schemes. Therefore, they are angry and had voted against the government," Singh said.

SBSP president Om Prakash Rajbhar too pointed his barbs at the government saying corrupt government cannot win the hearts of the people. “The Chief Minister should act tough against the officials otherwise people will not support BJP at all and will oust it in 2019 elections,” said Rajbhar.