Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the previous Samajwadi Party government, alleging that its leaders, ministers and even then-chief minister Akhilesh Yadav "bowed down before rioters and criminals" and "sacrificed festivals to riots and lawlessness" under its rule.

Addressing a programme to distribute LPG refill subsidies to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Adityanath said the BJP government restored peace in the state and ensured that all festivals from Diwali to Eid, and Christmas to Ram Navami were celebrated peacefully for the past eight-and-a-half years.