Lucknow Goes Beyond Being Just a City: Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal underscored Lucknow's role as a regional capital blending culture, ideas, and dialogue with strong governance. He highlighted Modi's transformative policies, UP's progress under Adityanath, and forthcoming commemorations, framing Lucknow as a national symbol of growth and heritage.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Sunday highlighted the cultural, political and developmental significance of Uttar Pradesh’s capital, Lucknow, during the official announcement of the newly elected BJP state president and national council members at the party’s Sangathan Parv programme held at Ram Manohar Lohia Law University, Ashiana.

Addressing party workers, Goyal said Lucknow is far more than just a city. "It is a unique regional capital with a long-standing tradition of ideas, culture and dialogue. Today, the entire country is looking towards Lucknow," he said.

Speaking nostalgically, Goyal recalled former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s association with Lucknow and the deep emotional bond he shared with the people of the city. He said Vajpayee not only represented Lucknow in Parliament but also inspired generations through his poetry, ideas and statesmanship. "I get a unique feeling whenever I come to Lucknow," Goyal said, describing the city as a symbol of India’s intellectual and cultural heritage.

Reflecting on the national political landscape, Goyal said that before 2014, corruption, scams and weak governance dominated headlines, with Uttar Pradesh facing particularly grave challenges. He said the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 marked the beginning of a transformative era. "Under his leadership, India has witnessed a comprehensive change in governance, mindset and global perception," Goyal said, adding that Indians today enjoy unprecedented respect across the world. He highlighted the Prime Minister’s governance philosophy rooted in "Antyodaya to Sarvodaya", which has significantly improved lives across the country. Achievements cited included electricity in every household, free LPG connections, tap water supply, housing for nearly 200 million people, free food grains for 800 million citizens, 2.5 billion free COVID-19 vaccine doses, and healthcare coverage for 700 million people under Ayushman Bharat. Goyal said that over the last 11 years, around 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty, setting a global benchmark.

India on Track to Become Third-Largest Economy

Highlighting India’s economic growth, Goyal said the country is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy within the next two to three years. He described development as a mass movement and quoted Prime Minister Modi’s words from his August 15 address at the Red Fort: "I live for you, you are my family. I have dedicated myself to fulfilling your dreams."

Uttar Pradesh’s Transformation Under Yogi Adityanath

Goyal praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for transforming Uttar Pradesh over the past eight and a half years. He said the state has effectively curbed land, sand and liquor mafias, strengthened law and order, and emerged as India’s second-largest state economy. "With sustained development, Uttar Pradesh is moving towards becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy. This reflects a clear vision for the future and inspires progress across the country," he said.

Investment, Infrastructure and Employment Growth

Emphasizing Uttar Pradesh’s investment potential, Goyal highlighted the Defence Corridors in Bundelkhand and Lucknow and the ₹40 lakh crore investment commitments secured during the 2023 Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit. He said very few states have achieved such a strong combination of robust law and order, investment-friendly policies and an industry-oriented environment. He also praised the state’s push for Global Capability Centres, employment generation and skill development. "Investors feel secure in Uttar Pradesh, and opportunities for talent and skill development are growing rapidly," he said, expressing confidence in the state’s continued progress.

2025: A Year of National Significance

Goyal described 2025 as a year of special national importance, marked by several historic milestones. These include the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 150th birth anniversaries of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and the birth centenary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said Uttar Pradesh would host large-scale commemorative programmes for these occasions.

He also recalled the hoisting of the national flag at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple on November 25 by Prime Minister Modi and paid tribute to the sacrifices made during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

BJP’s Rise and New Leadership

Recounting the situation in Uttar Pradesh before 2017, Goyal said the state suffered from lawlessness, lack of investment, unemployment and mass migration. He said the public mandate in favour of the BJP-NDA in 2017, with over 300 seats, marked a decisive shift in governance.

Welcoming the appointment of BJP’s new state president Pankaj, Goyal described him as a simple, hardworking leader with deep grassroots experience. He noted that Pankaj’s political journey, from corporator to Deputy Mayor and seven-time elected representative, reflects strong public trust.

Quoting Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Goyal said the post of BJP president is not an ornament but a responsibility, a test of values rather than a pursuit of prestige. He emphasized the need to continue strengthening the party under its core principles._____