Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the state has undergone a major transformation since 2017, claiming that improvements in law and order and government policies have created a more favourable environment for development and industry.
Addressing the two-day UP Textile Conclave-2026 in Lucknow, Adityanath sharply contrasted the present situation in Uttar Pradesh with the period before 2017. He said the state was previously struggling with poor law and order, the influence of criminal networks and a lack of industry-friendly policies.
“It is no secret to anyone what the condition of Uttar Pradesh was before 2017. Law and order in the state was in shambles,” the Chief Minister said.
He alleged that criminal elements had established their influence across the state and claimed that mafias operated like parallel authorities.
“In every district, mafias ran parallel governments. Mafias could wave guns and move about anywhere without any hindrance. They could operate from anywhere, and wherever they set their sights, that land became theirs,” Adityanath said.
The Chief Minister also criticised the then government for allegedly failing to take action against such activities.
“The government at the time remained silent in the face of all this,” he said.
‘People Would Not Rent Houses to Those From UP’
Adityanath said the situation had also created what he described as an identity crisis for people from Uttar Pradesh. He recalled that residents of the state allegedly faced discrimination outside Uttar Pradesh because of the negative perception associated with the state.
“An identity crisis confronted the citizens of Uttar Pradesh. Those were the days when, upon hearing the name of Uttar Pradesh, people would not rent houses to those from UP,” he said.
“What greater tragedy could there be for any society, for any citizen?” the Chief Minister asked.
According to Adityanath, such conditions also had a direct impact on the state’s economic development. He argued that an unstable law-and-order environment and the absence of supportive industrial policies prevented Uttar Pradesh from reaching its economic potential.
“In such a situation, the economy could not move forward,” he said.
Yogi Claims Post-2017 Transformation
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister then highlighted what he described as a significant change after 2017. He claimed that the state’s governance, law-and-order situation and policy environment have improved considerably.
“After 2017, you have seen a transformed Uttar Pradesh. Today, the rule of law prevails in Uttar Pradesh,” Adityanath said.
He also claimed that his government has adopted a strict approach towards criminal activities, corruption and those involved in unlawful activities.
“There is a zero-tolerance strategy in Uttar Pradesh for crime, criminals, and the corrupt,” he said.
Electricity and Development Also Mentioned
During his address, Adityanath also criticised the previous administration over electricity supply and development, alleging that access to power and development opportunities had been concentrated around one family.
“Electricity supply was limited to just one family; development was confined to that same family,” he said.
He further alleged that Uttar Pradesh previously lacked policies designed to attract and support industries.
“There was no industry-friendly policy in the state,” Adityanath said.
His remarks came while addressing the UP Textile Conclave-2026, where the state government is seeking to highlight Uttar Pradesh’s industrial and investment potential, particularly in the textile sector.
The Chief Minister’s speech focused heavily on the government’s claims of improved governance and law and order since 2017, while presenting these changes as essential to attracting investment, strengthening industry and accelerating economic growth in Uttar Pradesh.
