Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his disapproval of the Samajwadi Party and other opposition groups during a session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Friday. He emphasized that their actions had fostered a climate of unease among citizens, particularly women, and led to business closures across the state. Quoting the well-known poet Mirza Ghalib, he remarked, “Dust was on my face, yet I kept cleaning the mirror,” implying that the opposition is shifting blame for their shortcomings to others.

During his address, Adityanath criticized the previous administration’s handling of governance, stating that the legacy left by the Samajwadi Party had instilled a sense of shame within the state. He asserted that his government has successfully lifted approximately 60 million individuals out of poverty over the past eight years. He noted, “The perception of the state didn’t deteriorate overnight. It was the Samajwadi Party’s actions that created a sense of fear among daughters and forced many businesses to shut down.”

Responding to remarks from opposition members, Adityanath promised to address all inquiries raised by them. He reiterated Ghalib’s sentiments, suggesting that he too had been misled by circumstances. Furthermore, the Chief Minister highlighted the accomplishments of the government’s welfare schemes, citing data from NITI Aayog which indicated a significant reduction in extreme poverty within the state. He assured that citizens will continue to benefit from various entitlements including ration assistance and health facilities, emphasizing that these support systems will remain in place.

Budget Session Kicks Off Amidst Tensions

The budget session of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly commenced with Governor Anandiben Patel’s address on February 9, marked by disruptions from opposition members. Governor Patel stated that six crore people had been lifted out of poverty, further delineating the governance priorities of the state. The legislature is scheduled to conduct budget discussions until February 20, leading up to the presentation of the budget for the financial year 2026-27 on February 11.

In her address, the Governor also noted the participation of over 65 crore individuals in the 2025 Maha Kumbh and over 21 crore attendees at the 2026 Magh Mela in Prayagraj, underlining the significance of these events on the state’s social fabric.

Before the session, Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra criticized the government, suggesting that the Governor should deliver an independent address rather than reiterate government positions. He warned of potential opposition to the session if his request was unmet, also highlighting what he perceived as a failure of the state government in various sectors. Mehrotra noted that despite a proposed budget of Rs 9 lakh crore, less than 40 percent of the previous budget had been utilized effectively.

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