In a sharply worded address in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath combined a major development announcement with an unambiguous political offensive against the Samajwadi Party and Congress, using the inauguration and foundation laying of 102 projects worth ₹690 crore to underline both governance claims and ideological fault lines.
The Chief Minister’s speech, delivered before a large public gathering, moved swiftly between development assertions and political criticism, with repeated references to the pre-2017 era in Uttar Pradesh. He framed his government’s tenure as a structural departure from what he described as a period marked by disorder, corruption and neglect of cultural traditions.
Opposition accused of shifting stance on faith
One of the most pointed moments in his address came when Yogi Adityanath said those who once ordered “lathi-charge” on people chanting “Jai Shri Ram” are now speaking of Ram Bhakti. The remark was directed at the opposition, which he accused of changing its stance on matters of faith for political convenience.
He argued that earlier governments had suppressed religious expression, while the present dispensation had restored dignity and public space for devotion. He further claimed that pilgrimages to Ayodhya, Kashi and Prayagraj have increased significantly, reflecting what he described as a renewed cultural confidence under the current leadership.
‘Before 2017, UP was associated with disorder’
The Chief Minister asserted that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was widely associated with riots, corruption and weak governance. He described how major festivals such as Kanwar Yatra, Holi, Diwali, Ram Navami and Krishna Janmashtami often faced administrative hurdles and lacked seamless support.
He contrasted this with the present situation, stating that religious and cultural events are now conducted peacefully and with full administrative coordination. According to him, large gatherings such as the Kanwar Yatra are being organised safely and efficiently, reflecting improved law and order in the state.
Allegations of land grabbing and political bias
Yogi Adityanath also levelled allegations against previous regimes regarding land ownership in Rampur. He claimed that land belonging to poor and Dalit communities had been illegally occupied, and specifically referred to members of the Valmiki community being deprived of their property rights.
He further alleged that governance in earlier years was shaped by favouritism towards select political families, resulting in uneven development and systemic exclusion of large sections of society. He said the present government had worked to restore fairness and accountability in administrative systems.
Recruitment and governance under scrutiny
On public employment, the Chief Minister alleged that recruitment processes in the past were compromised by corruption and influence networks. He described a system in which intermediaries exploited vacancies and where judicial intervention was sometimes required to correct irregularities.
In contrast, he said the current recruitment system is based on transparency, merit and due process, ensuring that government jobs are allocated without political interference or manipulation.
Development narrative anchored in Rampur projects
Alongside his political remarks, Yogi Adityanath highlighted the ₹690 crore development package being rolled out in Rampur, which includes 102 infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening connectivity and local facilities.
He said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the country, attributing this to governance reforms and structured development planning. He also referred to Rampur’s traditional knife-making industry, noting that earlier governments failed to leverage its economic potential.
Under the One District One Product initiative, he said, Rampur’s knives, patchwork, zari-butta and violin craftsmanship are being promoted to wider national and international markets, with the aim of transforming traditional skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister reiterated that Uttar Pradesh’s current model integrates development, cultural assertion and administrative reform, positioning it as a decisive break from the pre-2017 era and reinforcing the state’s trajectory towards growth and governance-led transformation.