U.P. Assembly elections | Won’t let cows be slaughtered, also prevent crop damage from cattle, says Yogi Adityanath

The problem of stray cattle damaging crops has become a poll factor in the ongoing U.P. Assembly elections

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday promised to enhance the security of cows, while also ensuring that the State Government will help protect farmers' fields from stray cattle.

Mr. Adityanath asserted that 'gaushalas' (cow shelters) will be built on a large scale to protect cows.

"We have completely stopped illegal slaughterhouses. I promise that we will not let 'Gaumata' be slaughtered while we'll also protect fields of farmers from stray cattle," the Chief Minister said, addressing a rally in the Tiloi Assembly constituency of Amethi.

Accusing Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav of "maintaining silence" on the alleged connection between his party and the kin of one of the Ahmedabad blast convicts, Mr. Adityanath reiterated his charge that "the terrorist's family is a campaigner of the Samajwadi Party."

He also questioned the SP for allegedly extending support to the terrorists, saying " (Sapa ka haath aakhir kyun hai aatankiyon ke saath) After all why does the SP with the terrorists?" "The first decision taken by us in 2017 was to waive loans of growers. In contrast, the SP government had taken steps to withdraw cases lodged against 'terrorists' who attacked the Ram Janmabhoomi. Supporting SP means encouraging terrorism," the firebrand BJP leader said.

He also said every single vote to the SP is like "ruining the future".

The Chief Minister accused the previous SP government of favouring a particular community, saying electricity in the State used to be supplied on Eid and Muharram, but cut off on Holi and Diwali.