We Inherited Anarchy...The Perception Of U.P. Has Changed Now

The journey of Yogi Adityanath, from being the mahant of a prominent religious order to the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, was meteoric. Equally interesting is his rise as an administrator with an incorruptible, no-nonsense image. Completing two-and-a-half years in office, Adityanath spoke about his mission and vision for U.P. to Group Editorial Director Raj Chengappa, Senior Deputy Editor Uday Mahurkar, INDIA TODAY (Hindi) Editor Anshuman Tiwari, and Assistant Editor Ashish Misra at his Lucknow residence. Excerpts:

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Q. Before coming to power in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP swore by the slogan ‘Na bhrashtachar, na goonda raj (Neither corruption nor rule of goons)’. Has the Yogi Adityanath government lived up to this call?

A. One needs to see our government’s achievements in the light of what we inherited from the Akhilesh [Yadav] regime. We inherited anarchy, chaos, corruption and a culture of murder and loot. The public’s trust stood shattered. The courts had put a stay on [various government] recruitments. There was corruption in recruitments and transfers and postings [of officials]. Nepotism, casteism and communal riots had come to be the state’s identity. After almost two-and-a-half years of BJP rule, we can firmly say that under the guidance of our visionary prime minister, we have changed this perception of UP.

Q. What effect has this ‘change of perception’ brought about on the ground in the state?

A. Look at the way industrial investment has grown. Our officials wanted to hold a global investors’ summit with the aim of attracting investment to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore. But I felt a global summit should bring in investment assurances worth no less than Rs 2 lakh crore. We worked hard and, eventually, secured investment promises worth Rs 5 lakh crore at the summit. These proposals are fast turning into reality—a groundbreaking ceremony for proposals worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore has already been held. Investment worth another Rs 65,000 crore is in the pipeline. Since we came to power, around Rs 2.5 lakh crore has been invested in UP. Today, every industrialist at home and abroad wants to invest in UP. Investors believe the state is free from the grip of bureaucratic hurdles and red tape. Our drive against corruption and