Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in an exclusive interview with India TV on Thursday at CM residence in Lucknow, spoke on a range of issues including budget 2023 and Ramcharitmanas row.
Perception about Uttar Pradesh has been completely changed and the credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, said the UP CM.
Before 2017, the state government was not interested in development but after 2017 our government implemented all Central policies in the state and the results, we can experience today, he added.
UP was standing at 14th position in terms of business and today our state stood at second and this happened because we made so many reforms in the state, said Yogi.
10 new airports will be constructed in UP and several big projects related to infrastructure and power are in progress in the state, he added.
"I monitor every project. If we really want to bring a change in the lives of 25 crore people living in Uttar Pradesh, we have to implement all developmental programmes with true spirit. Our government is also working to provide maximum employment opportunities to youths. 1.61 youths were connected with job-centric programmes," Yogi said.
"I don't mind people calling me by any name and if it pleases them and improves their lifestyle," Yogi on being called as 'Bulldozer baba'.
"All guidelines were followed. Authorities sent notice first and then the bulldozer rolled out. We not only roll out bulldozers but also take all costs involved in the operation from them as they are wrongdoers. It is not wrong to take action against those who grabbed lands and engaged in anti-social activities," Yogi said on Bulldozer action.
It is unfortunate that professional gangster-like Mukhtar Ansari used to get support from the ruling establishment but we brought a zero-tolerance policy against criminals, he added.
"Since the first day, we started working on law and order. We worked to reform the police. We ensured the safety of every person. We trained police to use the latest technologies to counter cybercrime," Yogi on law and order.
"Anyone can level allegations. Several policemen were martyred but no one talks about them. Mukhtar Ansari turned into a politician. He kept killing people. Action is required to tackle criminals," he said on encounters against Muslims.
"700 communal riots took place between 2012 and 2017 and no opportunity for investment was made in the state and organized crime was at its peak. And he is now talking about us," Yogi slammed SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Everyone knows their agenda of development and for them, the family was the state and the welfare of the family was paramount, Yogi on Akhilesh Yadav's allegations.
"Anarchy had gripped Rampur and the people of the constituency replied to him," Yogi on Azam Khan's allegations.
"Transparency in award distribution was made by the government. An award is given for the service. It showed the government's liberal approach. A government does not work with narrow views. If a person impacted society with his service, he should be awarded. SP should thank PM Modi for this. They failed to give due respect to Mulayam Singh Yadav," Yogi on Yadav being conferred with Padma award.
"India is secular because of the Hindu majority. Hindus take care of every sect and religion. Why are people not speaking about what happening in Pakistan?" he said.
"To divert focus from the development, they trigger such issues. Had they ever worked for the development? They were in power for 4-time but their agenda had never been development. Caste politics is the only agenda of SP," Yogi on Ramcharitmanas row.
