Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday lauded Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, referring to him as a "young Chief Minister" and the "hero of Uttar Pradesh" for his transformative leadership over the past eight years.
Speaking at the launch of UP Governor Anandiben Patel’s autobiography Chunautiyan Mujhe Pasand Hai in Lucknow, the Vice President highlighted the state’s significant progress under CM Yogi's governance. He humorously remarked that people older than the Chief Minister often call themselves young, underlining Yogi’s energetic image and dynamic leadership.
He praised the Mahakumbh as one of the world’s greatest events, commending the sheer scale of participation and organisation. “The arrival of over 60 crore people at Mahakumbh will be remembered for centuries,” he said. He credited CM Yogi as the driving force behind the event, asserting that no parallel exists anywhere else in the world.
Pointing to Uttar Pradesh’s rapid economic advancement, the Vice President said, “In just eight and a half years, without imposing any new taxes, the state’s economy has grown from Rs 12.5 lakh crore to nearly Rs 30 lakh crore.” He emphasized that such progress warrants academic study, given the scale and pace of development.
He noted that per capita income has risen sharply and praised the massive strides in infrastructure. The state now boasts 55% of India’s expressways, six metro-enabled cities—the most in the country—and 16 airports, including four international ones. Mentioning the Jewar airport, he added, “The world is waiting for it.”
Commending CM Yogi’s leadership style, Dhankhar said, “Running away from challenges or showing indifference is a sign of cowardice, and there is no trace of cowardice in the Chief Minister—this doesn’t need any medical test.” He acknowledged the remarkable improvement in law and order, saying the state's image has significantly changed in the last eight years.
On governance, the Vice President called for greater respect towards constitutional roles. “We must respect our constitutional institutions. Each of us has our own limits, and our Constitution expects coordination among us,” he said. Emphasizing the dignity of offices like the President and Governor, he cautioned against casual remarks on such high positions.
Drawing from his experience in law, Dhankhar added, “I deeply respect the judiciary—I have worked in this field for 40 years. Our judges are among the best, but I appeal that we must work together with cooperation and coordination.”
Turning attention to Anandiben Patel’s autobiography, he described Chunautiyan Mujhe Pasand Hai as deeply inspiring. “She likes challenges because she never tolerates injustice,” he said. He appreciated her honesty in writing the book and lauded the choice of launch date and venue, which coincided with Gujarat Foundation Day and Labour Day at Abdul Kalam Technical University.
The Vice President also expressed admiration for Governor Patel’s daughter, Anarben, quoting a famous line from Zanjeer, “Anarben has a mother whose strength is no less.” He also called Swami Chidanand Saraswati a cultural ambassador of India.
In his concluding remarks, he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “He has turned challenges into opportunities,” citing improvements in electricity, sanitation, drinking water, digital connectivity, and healthcare access across the country.
Touching upon India’s rich philosophical roots, Dhankhar encouraged people to turn to ancient scriptures for guidance during tough times. He also highlighted UP’s pioneering efforts in transportation, being home to India’s first waterway and first rapid rail. “Opportunities are rising like bubbles here,” he said.
Reflecting on the Emergency era, he warned against forgetting history and urged citizens to uphold constitutional values to protect and strengthen Indian democracy.