CM Yogi Adityanath Defends Union Budget, Slams Opposition's PDA Claim as Mere 'Excuse'
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has strongly defended the Union Budget, asserting it will help realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Viksit Uttar Pradesh' by 2047. In a sharp rebuke to the Opposition, particularly the Samajwadi Party (SP), Adityanath dismissed their criticism of the Budget as politically motivated.
Adityanath Accuses SP of Prioritizing 'Family' Over PDA Agenda
Hitting out at the Samajwadi Party for targeting the Budget, Adityanath said its claim of focusing on 'PDA' – an acronym for Pichara (backward classes), Dalit, and Alpasankhyak (minorities) – is merely an excuse. He alleged that working for the 'pariwar' (family) remains their actual target, in contrast to PM Modi's inclusive vision that treats the entire population as one family.
"Why didn't they carry out this action during their own time? PDA must have existed then as well. So why was PDA not talked about at that time? Why was there concern for the family then? PDA is just an excuse. The real target – the sole objective – is the family," said the Chief Minister during his address in Lucknow.
He further added, "Those who are visionless and have no plans for the future will talk of meaningless things," emphasizing the government's commitment to long-term development over short-term political rhetoric.
Budget to Boost UP's Economic and Infrastructure Growth
Adityanath highlighted that Uttar Pradesh stands to benefit significantly from the Union Budget's provisions. He pointed out that the state, which has the maximum number of MSMEs in the country, will gain from the Rs 10,000 crore allocation set aside for this sector.
The CM also underscored the state's dominance in manufacturing, noting that UP accounts for 55% of India's mobile manufacturing and 60% of its electronic component production. This positions the state to capitalize on the Budget's assistance for the semiconductor and electronic manufacturing sectors.
Additionally, Adityanath mentioned that announcements related to sports manufacturing will benefit UP, given its two important leather clusters in Agra and Kanpur.
Infrastructure and Tourism Developments to Propel UP Forward
The Budget's proposal for seven high-speed rail corridors includes two from Varanasi – one connecting the ancient holy city with Delhi, and the other to Siliguri in West Bengal. Adityanath stated that these corridors, along with other initiatives, will enhance connectivity and boost economic activity in the state.
Tourism in Uttar Pradesh received a significant boost with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing that Hastinapur in West UP and Sarnath near Varanasi will be among 15 archaeological sites developed across the country. Referring to these developments, the CM said UP is emerging as a "new tourism hub," and the upcoming infrastructure and archaeological destinations will further accelerate this growth.
Adityanath also mentioned that the state budget will be presented this month, aligning with the Union Budget's objectives to foster comprehensive development and realize the vision of a developed India and Uttar Pradesh.
