War of words in U.P. over Adityanath’s remark that ‘bulldozer has now become a brand of Uttar Pradesh’

BJP supporters with earth-mover bulldozers attend a public meeting of Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. Image for the purpose of representation.

A war of words erupted over Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s comment inviting industries to manufacture bulldozers in the State, with Opposition parties claiming that a symbol of injustice and oppression could never be a brand of the State.

“Since a long-time U.P. CM is synonymous with making controversial statements. The remark that the ‘bulldozer’ has now become a brand of Uttar Pradesh, is unacceptable as in the State bulldozer is used on poor and people hailing from marginalised communities, mostly the Dalits and minorities. Bulldozer is a symbol of injustice and a weapon of oppression. Only a divisive leader will make such remarks, under the grab of zero-tolerance policy towards crime, injustice is being committed against a large section of population,” Anil Yadav, a senior Congress leader, said.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) alleged the bulldozer is selectively used against political opponents and the poor. “In U.P. the Chief Minister gives protection to anti-social elements hailing from dominant, feudal communities, while using bulldozer against opponents unlawfully, we saw how Azam Khan Saheb is being subjected to injustice,” SP spokesperson Ameeque Jamei said.

Addressing the ground-breaking ceremony of CNH Industrial’s new tractor manufacturing plant through video conferencing on Thursday (November 12, 2026), Mr. Adityanath said, “The rule of law has replaced mafia rule in Uttar Pradesh. The zero-tolerance policy towards crime and criminals, coupled with bulldozer action, has transformed the state into a major investment destination. The bulldozer has now become a brand of Uttar Pradesh. If companies manufacture bulldozers and tractors here, their demand will automatically rise across India and abroad.”

Commending the farmers and public representatives of the Jewar region, the Chief Minister said, “The area, which was once notorious for crime and gun violence, has today emerged as one of India’s finest investment destinations and a ‘jewel’ of the country. With the development of the Noida International Airport and YEIDA [Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority], the entire region is evolving into a major industrial, economic and logistics hub.”