DNA Exclusive: CM Yogi Adityanath says BJP heading towards bigger victory compared to 2017

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary grills UP Chief Minister Adityanath at his residence in Lucknow. Adityanath answers burning questions on a range of issues - BJP`s prospects in polls, dynasty, repeal of farm laws and challenge posed by the Opposition parties ahead of crucial assembly elections in the state.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is heading towards an even bigger victory compared to 2017 state assembly elections. The Chief Minister, in an exclusive interview with Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary, said that the BJP alliance is going to bag at least 325 seats. He said all the predictions, "done in AC rooms and studios", will turn out be false.

"It's going to be repeat of 2019 polls, it's going to be a BJP vs all election," Adityanath said. "They (Opposition) are fighting for number 2 spot here. People have decided that the BJP will emerge as the number 1 party," Adityanath said. CM Adityanath said that the top opposition leader in the state - SP chief Akhilesh Yadav - have already "packed his bags and will stay where is today" after the elections.

Adityanath on PM Narendra Modi's special connection with Uttar Pradesh

CM Adityanath said that the state government has been working under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, who has used his vast experience as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for development of the state. Adityanath said that a number people from Uttar Pradesh work in Gujarat. The Prime Minister, during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, used to interact with these people to understand the needs of Uttar Pradesh's people, he said, adding that he made the policies for the state based on this experience only.

On Dynasty and Nepotism

Adityanath today said that politics based on caste and dynasty halted the development in Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister said that the dynasty and nepotism didn't let the state grow despite having the "most cultivable land and best water resources in the world". 

"Nepotism, caste-based politics always came in the way of UP's development," Adityanath said in an exclusive conversation with Zee Media's Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary. "We have the best manpower, land and water resources. Still, we were not able to grow. Why?" Adityanath said.

"Nepotism and casteism must have helped a few families. It must have helped some mafia elements grow in the state. But the state suffered due to that," Adityanath said.

The Chief Minister opined that frustration with caste and dynasty based politics were the reasons behind the state's overwhelming mandate to BJP in the year 2014.

On 'Up+Yogi' vs 'Un+Up+Yogi' debate

Issuing a sharp rebuttal to Akhilesh Yadav's "useless (un+upyogi)" jibe, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the development projects in the state were "UP+Yogi" or usefull for the 25 crore people of the state. However, the same development projects were useless (un+upyogi) for those who use to instigate riots for politics. "Professional criminals and mining mafias used to dominate Uttar Pradesh, (of course) we are useless for them," Yogi Adityanath said.

The chief minister listed out the achievements in terms of infrastructure development of the state during his tenure in the state. Adityanath said that the state today has 10 operational airports. "We have provided households to 43 lakh people, we are useful for these people," Yogi Adityanath said. "There were 12 medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh between 1947 to 2017, today the state has medical colleges in its 59 districts."

On demands to sack Ajay Mishra 'Teni'

Adityanth said that UP government took prompt action in Lakhmpur Kheri farmers' death incident - where MoS Home Minister Ajay Mishra Teni's son is an accused. "We said that law will take its own course. And it happened too. But the Opposition has stuck to the issues. They are working with a negative attitude," Adityanath said.

On repeal of three farm laws

Adityanath said that Prime Minister's address to nation - to announce the repeal of farm laws - had a large message. "PM Modi said that we were not able to make some people understand our intent behind farm laws. I think the message was enough," Adityanath said.

The UP chief minister claimed that BJP government under PM Modi has done the best work for farmers compared to all the previous government. "PM Modi ensured 150% rate to farmers via MSP," he said. "15 lakh hectare land became cultivable due to PM irrigation scheme," the Chief Minister added.