Now that more than 9 years of governance under the Yogi Government have passed in Uttar Pradesh, it is necessary to assess what Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath means to the people. What are the factors that distinguish him from previous chief ministers, and how has the foundation of public trust in him become so strong?
The people of Uttar Pradesh have witnessed a period when riots, oppression of Dalits, insult to Sanatan traditions, and minority appeasement had become the state’s identity, and people saw little hope of justice from any platform. Today, they are witnessing the present and the changing image of Uttar Pradesh, which has enhanced their respect both nationally and internationally.
If this perception of trust in Yogi Adityanath is to be expressed in a single sentence, it can be said that in 2017, his leadership brought not merely a change of government but also integrated security, good governance, cultural renaissance, and development into a single framework. This has now become the new identity of Uttar Pradesh.
Let us also look at Uttar Pradesh before 2017. At that time, vote-bank politics had reached its peak, and the extent to which communal appeasement was incorporated into the agenda of the then government effectively pushed the state towards political subjugation. Dalit oppression, protection of criminals and mafias, neglect of development, and the resulting hardships were being endured by the public, but their confidence to resist had been taken away.
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau showed that between 2014 and 2016, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of crimes against Scheduled Castes in the country. The Dalit oppression law had become so ineffective that it had virtually lost its significance. The Muzaffarnagar riots remain a stain on the state that may never be erased. Countless Hindus were displaced, and many people saw their land taken over by strongmen, yet the government remained a silent spectator.
Public anger eventually finds expression, and in 2017 the people expressed it through their votes. Out of 403 Assembly seats in the state, the BJP won 312 seats. This was not merely a majority for a political party; it was a revolt by a public wounded by humiliation.
When people place such overwhelming trust in a political party, their expectations from the government become profound. As Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath not only understood this challenge but internalized it. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya had said that unless governance remains connected to its cultural soul, it cannot pave the true path of public welfare. The state must reach those standing in the last row of society.
Chief Minister Yogi incorporated this philosophy into his vision and advanced “Good governance” not merely as an administrative term but as a transformative commitment. He also drew from the ideas of Veer Savarkar, who believed that peace cannot be established without strength. Yogi transformed strength into resolve, and his zero-tolerance policy against mafias and criminals stands as an example of this approach.
His message that the law is equal for everyone resonated across the state. Soon after taking office, action against illegal slaughterhouses pushed vote-bank politics into the background, while the formation of Anti-Romeo Squads gave daughters the confidence to step out fearlessly. The campaign against mafias may well be recorded as a landmark chapter in the state’s history. Breaking the backbone of the mafia meant dismantling organized crime. It meant that no one could dare extort traders through threats and intimidation.
Obviously, none of this happened overnight. Yet after 9 years, if people feel a sense of relief, it is this sentiment that makes Yogi appear necessary for the state. Uttar Pradesh became free from riots. A clear message was delivered to the administration that action against rioters was mandatory regardless of community.
Mission Shakti, women’s helplines, and the recruitment of women into the police force sought to change an environment where a daughter’s safety outside the home was often a family’s greatest concern. Fearlessness does not emerge solely from laws; it comes from confidence that the government stands with its citizens. This secure environment effectively rolled out a red carpet for investors.
A state once categorized among the “BIMARU” states is now moving toward becoming the country’s second-largest economy. Investors from India and abroad are coming to Uttar Pradesh and are eager to invest. The Ganga Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, and Delhi-Meerut Expressway have not only reduced distances but have connected regions that had remained neglected for decades. The development of the international airport at Jewar, the establishment of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, and the Data Centre Policy are all part of the blueprint of the new Uttar Pradesh.
Any discussion would remain incomplete without mentioning cultural renaissance. The Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021, emerged as a major symbol of religious tourism and economic growth. Then, on January 22, 2024, the Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya fulfilled centuries-old faith and aspirations of followers of Sanatan Dharma. This convergence of development and cultural pride is the defining characteristic of the Yogi Government and distinguishes it from previous governments.
It is also necessary to answer a question that often arises in people’s minds: Can so much change really occur because of the determination of one individual?
The answer is yes, it is possible. When a hardworking state leader receives the support and guidance of a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi, results do not take long to emerge. Since Yogi’s greatest strength lies in his decision-making ability, he is able to find solutions to even the most complex challenges with relative ease.
The Yogi Government’s management during the COVID pandemic is evidence of this. The entire country acknowledged the administrative efficiency demonstrated during that period. Yet there remains a long journey ahead. Progress must continue with a balanced perspective.
The people of Uttar Pradesh have chosen peace over riots. They have chosen the rule of law over mafia rule. They have chosen pride over humiliation. That is why Yogi Adityanath received another majority mandate in 2022. This mandate reflected the belief that there should be no place for anarchy in the state, and that cultural self-respect and economic development can move forward together.
Today, when people feel that Sanatan traditions are a matter of pride rather than embarrassment, it represents their emotional acceptance of the Yogi Government. This is why the meaning of having a Yogi Government in Uttar Pradesh is different, distinctive, and unique.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
