Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday accepted Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav’s challenge to contest the upcoming assembly elections from Ayodhya, inviting the opposition leader to enter the electoral fray from the temple town against him. “I invite you to file your nomination from Ayodhya, and I will too. Let’s try our luck! It should be decided; why fight against others? The fight should be face to face!” the CM said on Saturday.

Adityanath made these comments after the inauguration and foundation-stone laying ceremonies for 78 development projects worth over Rs 803 crore in Balrampur district. He said, “They ask me to contest the elections from Ayodhya. Ayodhya is our holy place. I go there so that there is no laxity in Ayodhya’s development, and no stain is brought to Uttar Pradesh’s identity!”