India, June 25 -- LUCKNOW/GORAKHPUR Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accused the Congress of "strangling democracy" during the Emergency, saying its imposition was not merely an assault on India's democracy, but a direct attack on the dreams of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.

He also announced a series of welfare measures for 'Loktantra Senanis' (democracy fighters), including state honours at funerals, enhanced healthcare benefits and free bus travel facilities.

Addressing the 'Loktantra Senani Samman Samaroh' organised in Lucknow to mark the 51st anniversary of the Emergency, the CM said: "Today, the entire country is remembering that dark chapter of June 25, 1975, when, for its vested political ambitions, the Congress strangled...