From Bimaru to Boom: Yogi Adityanath Says UP Is Now India’s No. 2 Economy

Yogi Adityanath recently highlighted Uttar Pradesh's progress under his leadership, citing significant economic growth and infrastructure improvements. Despite opposition criticism, he emphasises public participation in development initiatives across various sectors.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in Ghaziabad's Nehru Nagar on Friday, launching a book penned by former MP Ramesh Chandra Tomar. But it wasn't just about literature-the CM used the platform to deliver a fiery address on UP's transformation under his leadership.

Adityanath didn't hold back, declaring that previous governments had left the state in a "Bimaru" condition-a term coined in the 1980s to describe states with poor socio-economic indicators. "Before 2017, UP was seen as a barrier to Bharat's development. Today, it's the second-largest economy among Indian states, and we're working to make it number one," he said.

From Gangsters to Growth

Reflecting on his earlier visits to Ghaziabad, Adityanath recalled how the district was once infamous for crime and filth. "People used to say that if a CM visited here, he wouldn't return to power. I came anyway-and got re-elected," he quipped. He credited his government with turning Ghaziabad into an industrial and educational hub, backed by expressways, metro lines, and modern infrastructure.

He also highlighted a shift in public perception: "Before 2018, people from UP would hide their identity. Now, they proudly say they're from UP."

Linking UP's Rise to India's Growth

Adityanath tied UP's progress to India's broader economic ascent, noting that the country has climbed from 11th to 4th place globally since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. He claimed that government schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Ujjwala Yojna have reached nearly 70% of the population-up from just 17-19% before 2014.

He also announced a public initiative inviting development suggestions across 12 sectors, including healthcare, education, tourism, and IT. Top contributors will be recognized at both district and state levels.

Opposition Fires Back

Not everyone was impressed. Congress district president Satish Sharma accused the CM of ignoring decades of development before 2014 and failing to address rising crime.
"They have nothing to show-just criticism of past governments," he said.

Samajwadi Party's Faizal Hussain echoed the sentiment, calling the current infrastructure "at its worst" and accusing the BJP of relying on event management over real governance. He pointed out that many of UP's major projects were initiated under the SP regime and claimed youth-focused schemes had been scrapped.

As UP gears up for future elections, the debate over its development trajectory is heating up-and Ghaziabad just became the latest battleground.