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8/27/2017 Yogi Adityanath: My name is the same, my clothes have not changed : INTERVIEW - India Today 26062017
Do you consider yourself a saint or a politician?
A. You don't ask this question if you know the meaning of religion. Religion is a comprehensive concept.
According to our learned people, our scholars, to pave the path for public welfare in worldly life and to
provide spiritual uplift is part of religion. I think a yogi can do both things quite easily. And I manage to
balance both worldly and spiritual concerns.
Q. So how then would you assess the first 100 days of the BJP government in UP, as the chief minister
and a yogi?
A. I have been a yogi for the last 23 or 24 years. When, as UP chief minister, my government completes its
first 100 days, I believe we will look back with satisfaction at having been successful in contributing to the
dream of development as envisioned for the state by the prime minister and the BJP's national president
[Amit Shah]. Of course, if a person is too 'satisfied', then he might become complacent, not work so hard to
get ahead. But, yes, I am satisfied that we have begun work that the previous government was unable to even
think of, let alone begin.
Q. What are these flagship schemes you are satisfied with?
A. After the completion of 100 days, my government will bring out a white paper that will spell out what
condition the state was in when we took power and the roadmap that will lead us to the future.
Q. But can you give a specific example of your government's achievements in the first 100 days?
A. Protecting the interests of farmers. Connecting them to sustainable development. Marginalising caste and
dynasty politics. Presenting a model for development in UP.
Q. Your critics say Delhi runs Lucknow. Is the Centre interfering with your government?
A. It is not interference but cooperation. In a federal structure, the state and Centre work together. A state has
fewer resources and, sometimes, to effectively redress people's grievances, a state needs to ask for central
help. I am happy, for instance, that UP is the first state in the country that has invited the NITI Aayog to help
us plan for the future.
Q. But I'm sure you've heard people say things like, "upar Modi, neeche Yogi". How does that make
you feel?
A. We don't pay attention to that sort of thing. We are working hard to achieve the dreams of the prime
minister and the BJP national president.
Q. On the other hand, your followers speak of you as a potential prime ministerial candidate after
Modi...
A. That is foolish. My responsibility is to UP. I now have the opportunity to work for its development. My
sole focus is to sort out problems for which we would take to the streets, problems we can do something
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-cm-yogi-adityanath-government-interview-100-days-power/1/979132.html 1/13
about.
Q. Okay, on the subject of UP then: since the formation of your government, there has been a rise in
crime. Why?
A. Criminal incidents didn't arise suddenly. This state, which has seen some 450 riots in the past five years,
has not suffered a single communal riot in the first 100 days of the BJP government. All the conspirators
involved in the incidents in Saharanpur [violence between Dalits and Thakurs in May in which three people
were killed] are in jail. We controlled the violence in 24 hours without having to call the military or
paramilitary. Our police force handled it efficiently and quickly. Soon such incidents will diminish in number
too.
Q. But, would you agree the public feels insecure in UP?
A. There is no feeling of insecurity in the public. On the contrary, they believe this government is hard on
criminals and that anyone who commits a crime will be punished.
Q. The challenges your government faces are huge. Take encephalitis...
A. Since we formed the government, we have begun a huge immunisation campaign. Till now, nearly 50
lakh children between 1 and 15 have been immunised. We have brought Japanese encephalitis under control
but our concern is Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. This disease doesn't have any vaccine. The main cause of
this disease is poor hygiene, so we have started a campaign to improve cleanliness and access to clean water.
It's surprising, then, that if we distribute soap to people before our visit to a Musahar colony, the media takes
it as an opportunity to criticise, to claim we are insulting Dalits.
Q. Your ministers often speak about conspiracies against your government. Who are these
conspirators?
A. I think that in the Saharanpur incident there were some conspiracies against our government. In many
other places, too, such people have raised their heads, tried to create trouble but have been stopped thanks to
our police force.
Q. You said all the roads of UP would be pothole-free by June 15. This is not going to happen...
A. There are two reasons for this. First our government's budget is yet to be passed. Second, the high court
has prohibited mining in the state, creating a shortage of materials. Despite these problems, I can claim that
when our government came to power there were over 1 lakh potholed roads and now there are fewer than
half that number.
Q. You haven't fulfilled your promise on power supply either.
A. It'll take time to ensure power supply throughout the state. But we will provide power to everyone.
Previous governments were concerned about only five districts, we care about all 75. And those districts that
were once receiving only two to three hours of power a day now get 22 to 23 hours of power daily. Rural
areas now have sufficient supply and we'll further improve the power infrastructure under the Deen Dayal
Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.
Q. Your government is also taking heat from those farmers who feel left out of the loan waivers...
A. We have waived outstanding loans till March 31, 2016, of up to Rs 1 lakh for small and marginal farmers.
Instructions have already been issued to banks to not recover loans from them. The scheme will cost the state
nearly Rs 36,000 crore, but we are relying on our own resources and will tighten the belt elsewhere if
necessary.
Q. Encouraging industry, investment, improving education, you have an ambitious agenda...
A. Since the formation of the government, Samsung has decided to invest Rs 5,000 crore in Noida. Two
large ethanol factories, worth Rs 1,600 crore, will also be set up. In education, the government is working
hard to regularise sessions, hire teachers, invest in basic infrastructure. Students in government schools will
get new uniforms. In rural areas, the government will give students shoes.
Q. You have accommodated many prominent figures from other parties in the state BJP. Some are
even ministers in your government. Is that a challenge?
A. All our leaders know our government has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, crime and mafia raj.
All those who have looted public money will not escape.
Q. But the BJP, too, has complained about the functioning of bureaucrats and officers who still occupy
prime posts...
A. Go ahead then, give me good officers. Officers are not fruit. I can't pick them off a tree. If we remove an
officer, we need to ensure we have a good replacement.
Q. Do Dalits and Muslims need to fear your government?
A. We show no favour to any religion, region or caste. Our government believes in 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'.
Q. But take the shutting down of slaughterhouses...
We were following the directives of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal. No action was
taken against lawful slaughterhouses.
Q. Under the previous government, there was a 20 per cent reservation for minorities. What is your
government's view on reservations?
A. We're not making schemes for any particular caste or religion. Our schemes are for the betterment of all
22 crore people in the state.
Q. As CM, you have already been to Ayodhya. What is your position on the Ram temple?
A. I went to visit Ram Lalla and Hanuman Garhi. There is no change in my stand on Ayodhya. The case is
pending in the Supreme Court. If the issue can be solved by mutual dialogue, then we will provide all
necessary help.
Q. Your identity has been that of a hardcore Hindutva leader. Has this changed since you became CM?
A. My name has not changed. I have not changed my clothes. My ideology is the same.
Q. There are two deputy CMs. Is this a way to rein you in?
A. UP is a big state. I don't have enough leadership experience for such a big state. I requested the party for
two experienced associates to help me and work with me.
Q. The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party are ready to ally to oppose you. Does that concern
you?
A. The alliance between the SP and BSP is itself a defeat. The BJP will increase its majority in the next
general election. The days of appeasement and caste politics are over.
For more news from India Today, follow us on Twitter @indiatoday and on Facebook at facebook.com/IndiaToday
For news and videos in Hindi, go to AajTak.in. . .
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8/27/2017 Yogi Adityanath: My name is the same, my clothes have not changed : INTERVIEW - India Today 26062017

Do you consider yourself a saint or a politician?

Q. What are these flagship schemes you are satisfied with?

Q. But, would you agree the public feels insecure in UP?

Q. The challenges your government faces are huge. Take encephalitis...

Q. You haven't fulfilled your promise on power supply either.

Q. Encouraging industry, investment, improving education, you have an ambitious agenda...

Q. Do Dalits and Muslims need to fear your government?

Q. But take the shutting down of slaughterhouses...

For news and videos in Hindi, go to AajTak.in. . .

# Uttar Pradesh # Yogi Adityanath # BJP

Sponsored Links by Taboola

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