It was in March 2017 when the BJP stunned the nation with its spectacular victory in Uttar Pradesh. Immediately after the win, there were several names floating around for the probable Chief Minister. Among them, was Yogi Adityanath. Many in the media never thought that the BJP would make him the Chief Minister of the country’s largest state, but here we are today.
5th June 1972 was when Yogi Adityanath was born in Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh at that time). Aged 47, Yogi is counted among the youngest and most dynamic Chief Ministers in India. Yogi Adityanath was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1998. He was the youngest member of the 12th Lok Sabha at the age of 26. He has been elected to the Parliament from Gorakhpur for five consecutive terms (in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014 elections). Yogi Adityanath’s charisma and track record as CM went a long way in ensuring the BJP’s triumph over the Mahagathbandhan in the recently concluded elections. On his birthday, we have a look at all that he has brought to Uttar Pradesh as Chief Minister. A decisive mandate called for a decisive Chief Minister, therefore we know why Yogi was roped in by the BJP.
Crime rate:
Uttar Pradesh was once recognized as a state where the default state of affairs was that of a ‘goondaraj’. Not anymore! Under Yogi Adityanath, consistent efforts by the administration and police have ensured that Uttar Pradesh witnesses a decline in the crime rate. It is no secret that Yogi Adityanath has given a free hand to the police in matters relating to crime detection and handling. What was once considered a force to only be deployed for the security of pompous politicians has now been transformed into a force which sends shivers down the spines of criminals.
Moreover, Yogi has publicly warned criminals that they either surrender or leave the state, because the police would have no mercy on them. This has by implication, resulted in countless surrenders. The Uttar Pradesh police are upbeat and working with high morale. According to the police department, between March 20, 2017, and January 31, 2018, there were a whopping 1142 police encounters! Regular shootouts have caused the death of 73 criminals (as of March 2019), left 265 injured and led to the arrest of 2744 history-sheeters. During the SP-BSP rule, communal and caste riots had become synonymous to Uttar Pradesh, however, under Yogi’s rule, there have been no instances of major communal breakouts in the state. This only affirms that the people are by and large content with the establishment in UP.
Development and Investment:
In the years prior to the BJP government taking over, central government funds meant for developmental work were either returned unutilized or were utilized for the benefit of certain vote banks in UP. Coupled with a corrupt and lethargic administrative regime, Uttar Pradesh saw negligible development. Take for example Amethi. Need you be reminded of the shabby state the constituency was in? However, under Yogi Adityanath, there has been a complete overhaul of machinery in the state. The focus is now on last mile delivery and air-tight and timely execution, whether it be the various central government welfare schemes or infrastructure projects. 1.4 crore toilets constructed, nearly 1.5 crore new children joining primary education, over 5 million new electricity connections and approaching 1.1 million in homes for families all indicate real, ground-level change. Overlooking all these aspects of development personally, is the Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanth.
Yogi has also set a target to connect each region of the state with expressways. While other CM’s banked in single expressway projects in order to swing elections in their favor, Yogi Adityanth is all set to take the state to new connectivity heights as the focus is now on getting four major projects completed before 2022. The first project on the priority list is the Purvanchal Expressway, a 341 km long expressway from Lucknow to Ghazipur, passing through Amethi, Ambedkar Nagar, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Azamgarh and Mau. Another project on the line is Bundelkhand expressway which would connect the backward districts of Bundelkhand such as Banda, Hamirpur, Jalaun to Agra Lucknow expressway in Etawah. The most ambitious project, however, is the Ganga Expressway from Meerut in West UP to Prayagraj. The 600 KM expressway will connect districts such as Meerut, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Sambhal, Badaun, Farrukhabad, Hardoi, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Pratapgarh to Prayagraj.
Keeping in line with PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, Yogi Adityanath heralded the ‘Make in UP’ initiative. Uttar Pradesh is seeing international players taking a keen interest in investing in the state. Just recently, Yogi inaugurated the largest Samsung manufacturing factory in the world, located in Noida. Yogi himself negotiated the setting up of this factory with the Vice President of Samsung.
Kumbh and restoration of the Hindu Pride:
Yogi Adityanath has received accolades from even his worst critics for the proficient manner in which the 2019 Kumbh was organized at Prayagraj. Pilgrims noted that unlike previous years, this Kumbh was much cleaner, hygienic and well-organized. Such was the immensity of this Kumbh, that it won three Guinness World records. Moreover, Yogi Adityanath has been unapologetic when it comes to restoring the names of ancient cities with historical and cultural importance to Hindus. The proposed Ram Statue in Ayodhya is another testimony to the fact that Yogi wears his cultural identity on his sleeve. It is for this very reason that he has been able to consolidate Hindus in Uttar Pradesh and unite them like never before.
Administrative overhaul:
The hallmark achievement of Yogi Adityanath as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has been that he has successfully transformed a lethargic administration to a one which is focused on delivery. Digitization has been given special focus by Yogi government and the ‘file’ culture has been greatly minimised, thus improving the efficiency of the administration to speed up its tasks. Recently, Yogi Adityanath banned government officials from carrying mobile phones to meetings. He has personally played a huge role in making the administrative machinery of the state robust and in tune with modern technologies.
Yogi Adityanath also received much acclaim for his government’s fight against encephalitis in Gorakhpur and the sharp decline in the number of deaths caused by the same. Yogi had also worked round the clock to ensure that the loans of farmers are waived, without causing much strain on the state treasury. All of this is only a small portion of what Yogi has achieved as CM. With three more years remaining in office, we can only expect him to take Uttar Pradesh to greater heights.
Here’s wishing Yogi Adityanath a very happy birthday!