Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath tells TOI’s Akhilesh Singh in an interview how he has changed the perception about the state, leading to record investment and overall growth. Excerpts:

Are you satisfied with the performance of your government and what are the areas where you have managed to make a difference?

The biggest challenge after forming the government was to change the perception about the state, which had gained notoriety thanks to the misrule of the successive Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party governments. The state was known for ‘vasooli’ and leaders of the two party leaders were corrupt. Since we took over, perception about the state has changed and we have received investment of over Rs 150 lakh crore in the private sector, which will provide employment to over 20 lakh youth. We are developing Metro rail in three more cities. Three expressways — Purvanchal, Ganga and Bundelkhand — will transform the state’s economy. Six airports are operational in the state and 11 more will start soon. Jewar airport in the NCR will be another milestone. Before us, power supply in rural areas was less than five hours but one can see how it has improved. District headquarters have power supply for 24 hours followed by 18-20 in tehsils and 16-18 hours in villages.

How has the state benefited from central welfare schemes? Have you been able to implement them effectively?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s leadership has been the biggest guiding force motivating us to perform. Central schemes, along with the ones initiated by the state, have played a key role in poverty alleviation. We have come a long way towards doubling farmers' income by 2024, the target set by the Prime Minister. We have constructed maximum number of toilets, we are number one in clean India campaign, number one in awarding Prime Minister housing scheme and also in Saubhagya Yojna.

But you must agree that the law and order situation remains a challenge.

On the contrary, improving the law and order situation has been one of our biggest achievements. We inherited a huge challenge of how to handle goons who were patronised by the SP and BSP dispensations. There have been no communal riots, religious festivals are taking place peacefully and we have set an example for other states. If the opposition is attacking us, it is the biggest certificate to confirm that things have improved. The opposition might have personal issues as goons patronised by them have been arrested and strict action taken against them. However, there are land-related disputes which lead to local clashes for which the entire state’s land holdings are being digitised.

The state government was criticised over the recent Mirzapur incident in which a journalist was booked for highlighting mid-day meal irregularity. Wasn't it an effort to silence the messenger?

No, it was not journalism... rather, I call it yellow journalism as the said journalist acted as if he had some vested interest. For example, mid-day meal is served at lunch time which is post-noon. Did anyone try to check what time the video was shot? Children were seated in an organised way in proper row and the shoot was orchestrated. The action taken was the fallout of a proper investigation. The same team of journalists tried to stage-manage a scene in Azamgarh and asked a school girl to sweep the school premises and handed her a broom. Healthy criticism is integral to healthy democracy but all stakeholders have to understand the spirit of responsibility assigned to them.

After Azam Khan was booked on various charges, Mulayam Singh Yadav defended him and accused the government of being vindictive?

The opposition is bereft of genuine issues. Not a single case of political vendetta can be alleged against the government. Whatever is happening is according to the law of the land.

How is the state prepared to cope with the possibility of a slowdown in the economy?

It is a global phenomenon. Still, we have a robust economy and several international agencies have rated India as far better than many developed countries. Being the most populous state, Uttar Pradesh has to play its part. We have a roadmap for the state’s development and have identified 21 focus areas. Agriculture, food processing and animal husbandry are the key sectors on which maximum emphasis is being laid. Uttar Pradesh is now the biggest exporting state in the country.

Corruption was a major poll issue in the state. Have you been able to contain it?

You (media) and opposition parties should cite any incident of corruption since we formed government in the state. We have recruited over 2.5 lakh youth on merit and no incident of bribery was reported. In fact, an Indian from oversees called on me and said his nephew was selected as a policeman without paying a bribe, for which the family was prepared as bribery was the norm in SP and BSP regimes. The law is equal for all and there is no leniency for anyone.

What do you think about the day-to-day hearing in the Ayodhya case?

It is a good sign and we expect an early judgment in the case. Millions of followers of Lord Ram are expecting a positive judgment from the Supreme Court.

