Samajwadi Party patronised criminals across U.P. during its rule, alleges CM Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday, October 15, 2026, accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) of patronising criminals during its time in power and contrasted it with what he described as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) focus on development and change. Speaking at a public meeting in Prayagraj as part of the Graduate Voters’ election campaign, he coupled the political attack with a series of announcements tied to housing and urban development on land reclaimed from criminal elements.
Development push on reclaimed land
Mr. Adityanath performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the construction of 602 houses under the Padmalok Awas Yojana on a 9,811-square-metre parcel in Kasari-Masari, Prayagraj. The site, he said, had been reclaimed from the late Atiq Ahmed, a criminal-turned-politician. The project is estimated to cost over ₹191 crore.
“When SP comes to power, it brings mafia and goons, while BJP brings development and change,” the Chief Minister said, linking the housing initiative to his government’s efforts to dismantle what he termed the illegal empires of organised crime in the State.
Key announcements and welfare delivery
During the visit, Mr. Adityanath also distributed keys to beneficiaries of 556 houses in Peeplagaon under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), underscoring the State government’s emphasis on affordable housing for urban poor and lower-income families.
Renaming Kasari-Masari as ‘Shri Krishnapuri’
At the event, the Chief Minister announced that the Kasari-Masari locality would be renamed and developed as ‘Shri Krishnapuri’. Framing the move as part of a broader campaign to reclaim and redevelop areas previously under criminal control, he issued a stern warning to those involved in organised crime.
“No one will dare to indulge in mafia activities in Prayagraj anymore. If anyone does so or gets it done, they should be prepared to be reduced to dust. No goon or mafia can encroach upon anyone’s property. If anyone does so, even the wealth earned by their fathers and grandfathers will be seized,” Mr. Adityanath asserted.
Criticism of SP and the past state of affairs
Alleging that the SP had enabled criminal dominance in Prayagraj, the Chief Minister invoked the influence once wielded by Atiq Ahmed and his associates. “In the past, this very Prayagraj, when any land that mafia Atiq and mafia Ashraf set foot on became theirs, the State government remained silent, surrendering before them. The safety of daughters was under threat here. Wielding firearms, mafia members had become synonymous with fear and terror on the streets and in the lanes of Prayagraj,” he said.
He added that under those circumstances, “development was impossible, investment could not come in, employment opportunities could not be created for young people, and no plan for their bright future could move forward.”
Reiterating his administration’s stance since taking office, he said, “Our government made it clear on the very first day that it would adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards crime and criminals. No criminal would be given any leniency, and U.P. would be made mafia-free. Today, the results of this resolve are visible.”
Housing and township plan on reclaimed sites
Outlining the State’s approach to redeveloping reclaimed land for public benefit, the Chief Minister cited a completed project in Lukarganj: “At Lukarganj, a high-rise building has already been constructed on land reclaimed from the mafia, providing homes to 86 poor families.”
He said the residential plan in Kasari-Masari would be executed in two phases—602 houses in the first and 598 in the second—taking the total to approximately 1,200 permanent homes. “When about 1,200 families reside in this residential complex, the population here will exceed 6,000 to 6,500 people. They will not only be provided houses, but a well-planned township will also be developed separately for them. There will be a market, park facilities, space for sports, a gym, and other amenities according to the needs of residents,” Mr. Adityanath said.
Invoking Prayagraj’s heritage
Positioning the development drive within a cultural and spiritual frame, the Chief Minister described Prayagraj as “Teerthraj,” the land of social equality and the sacred site of Bhagwan Akshayvat, sanctified by the spiritual practices of Maharishi Bharadwaj. “For ages, this land has preserved the significance of pilgrimage and passed it on from generation to generation,” he noted.
Conclusion
Mr. Adityanath’s remarks in Prayagraj combined a hard line on law and order with a showcase of housing and urban development projects on land reclaimed from criminal control. By pledging to rename and redevelop Kasari-Masari as ‘Shri Krishnapuri’ and by detailing phased housing plans and amenities, he sought to reinforce the State government’s narrative of zero tolerance toward crime and a focus on welfare and infrastructure for the poor.
