Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 9 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticised the Samajwadi Party and other opposition parties, saying their governance had created an atmosphere where 'daughters felt nervous and businessmen wound up their businesses'.
Addressing the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Adityanath also cited a famous couplet by poet Mirza Ghalib, saying, 'Dhool chehre pe thi aur main aaina saaf karta raha', suggesting that the opposition was blaming others for its own failures.
The Chief Minister said the previous administration under the Samajwadi Party and other parties had left the state with a negative perception, while his government had lifted nearly 6 crore people out of poverty over the last eight years.
'The state's perception did not suddenly deteriorate. It was the Samajwadi Party's behaviour that made daughters nervous and businessmen wind up their businesses,' he said.
Responding to opposition remarks, Adityanath added, 'I felt that I should answer all your questions. As Ghalib had said, "Umar bhar main yahi bhool karta raha. Dhool chehre pe thi aur main aaina saaf karta raha".'
The Chief Minister also said that government welfare schemes, supported by data from NITI Aayog, had helped move 6 crore people out of extreme poverty in the past eight years.
'This does not mean they should be deprived of other schemes. They will continue to receive the benefits of ration, health services and other administrative facilities,' he said.
The budget session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly began on Monday with Governor Anandiben Patel delivering her address amid sloganeering by opposition MLAs.
In her speech, the Governor said that six crore people had been lifted out of poverty in the state.
The budget session is scheduled to run from February 9 to February 20, with the state budget for the 2026–27 financial year to be presented on February 11.
She also said that more than 65 crore people attended the 2025 Maha Kumbh, while over 21 crore people have participated in the Magh Mela 2026 in Prayagraj.
Before the session, Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra criticised the Uttar Pradesh government, saying the Governor should deliver her own speech rather than repeat the government's claims, warning that the party would oppose it if she did not.
He further alleged that the state government had failed on all fronts and claimed that although a budget of INR 9 lakh crore was being presented, less than 40 per cent of the previous budget had been spent.
(ANI)