Lucknow: Citing his government's '100-year vision plan' for Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said the Congress and the Samajwadi Party can never match the BJP's work over the past 12 years as both parties were driven by family interests while the BJP leadership treated the public as its family.
Attack on Opposition
Addressing an event in Unnao, Yogi said, "Congress never thought beyond the Nehru-Gandhi family, while for the SP, only Saifai was its family." In contrast, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi considered India his home and 140 crore Indians his family. "UP is my home and its 25 crore people are members of my family, and working for their prosperity is my mission," he added.
Development Projects Inaugurated
At the programme, the chief minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 101 development projects worth over Rs 570 crore. He highlighted infrastructure and connectivity initiatives in and around Unnao, while also listing measures linked to policing, industry and employment. Among the projects cited, Yogi said the capacity of the Police Training School built in memory of martyr Veer Gulab Singh Lodhi had been doubled.
Connectivity Boost
Referring to local concerns about Unnao being overlooked because of its location between Lucknow and Kanpur, he recalled assurances given earlier to BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj. He said residents could now travel to Delhi via the Ganga Expressway while bypassing Lucknow, and added that a greenfield expressway to Kanpur was under construction. He said a long-pending demand for an additional bridge over the Ganga to improve connectivity between Unnao and Kanpur had been met.
Industrial Development and Employment
Maintaining that the government would not allow Unnao to lag behind, he said 700 acres had been acquired for the Defence Manufacturing Corridor and 200 acres for industrial clusters along the Ganga Expressway. The industries planned in these zones would generate job opportunities for local youth, he added. Yogi also announced that a proposal for a rapid rail corridor from Lucknow to Kanpur via Unnao was being prepared. He said ring roads were planned around the region to connect Lucknow, Hardoi, Unnao, Sitapur, Barabanki, Rae Bareli and adjoining areas, presenting the projects as part of a broader push to strengthen regional mobility and economic activity.
Further Criticism of Opposition
Attacking the Opposition, the chief minister alleged that during the Samajwadi Party's tenure, the poor were silenced by criminals and mafia. He said the youth would not accept "corrupt" parties that, he alleged, had undermined employment prospects and self-respect, adding that since 2014 young voters have been responding to what he described as past humiliation.
Welfare Schemes Highlighted
Praising Modi's emphasis on welfare, Yogi said development efforts were focused on four groups—the poor, farmers, women and youth. He cited Mission Shakti for women's safety and self-reliance and said housing schemes had reduced dependence on intermediaries. He claimed benefits such as LPG connections, rations, pensions and Ayushman coverage were now available without recommendations, influence or bribery.
