Yogi Adityanath highlights UP’s growth, says BJP eradicated mafia rule

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday criticized the previous government, stating that while his administration eradicated the mafia, it also introduced the 'One District One Medical College' initiative to strengthen healthcare in the state.

Addressing a public gathering in Gorakhpur, he remarked, "The state and administration remain the same; only the government has changed... As soon as the BJP came to power, the state, which was once seen as a barrier to growth, has now become the number one leading state in various sectors... This transformation was not easy. Before 2017, the situation was dire, with riots occurring almost daily."

He further alleged that under the previous government, "A mafia operated in every district, extorting people, encroaching on land, engaging in illegal mining, and smuggling animals. Their goons posed a threat to traders and daughters. We not only eliminated the mafia but also established 'One District One Medical College'."

Earlier in the day, CM Yogi distributed motorized tricycles to differently-abled individuals and visited an exhibition showcasing public welfare schemes of the central and Uttar Pradesh governments, marking the completion of eight years of his government in Gorakhpur.

On Monday, he praised the performance of his BJP-led administration on its eighth anniversary, stating that his government has upheld "service, safety, and good governance" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. "Under PM Modi’s leadership, we have successfully completed eight years of service, safety, and good governance. Today, UP’s double-engine government marks eight years, and I thank the 25 crore people of the state for their support," he said at a press conference.

Yogi Adityanath took office as Chief Minister in 2017 after BJP, which contested without a CM face, secured a massive victory, winning 312 out of 403 seats. In the 2022 assembly elections, BJP retained power by securing 255 seats, with its allies also performing well. This made Yogi Adityanath the first Chief Minister in Uttar Pradesh’s history to win two consecutive terms.