Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the BJP's "double-engine" government will secure a comfortable victory in the 2027 polls, showcasing a "shining UP" where faith is translating into economic prosperity.
Speaking at the Aaj Tak Panchayat here, Adityanath predicted BJP's win "with a grand majority", saying beneficiaries of his government's welfare and development programmes will back the party in next year's assembly polls.
The chief minister said he had made a similar prediction ahead of the 2022 elections and expressed confidence that young people, women, farmers and Dalits who had benefited from government schemes would vote for the BJP again.
"The beneficiaries of our programmes, be it youth, women, farmers or Dalits, will vote for us in next year's vidhan sabha election," he said.
He said the state's rich religious and cultural heritage had created significant potential for tourism and economic activity, citing the Braj region as an example.
"Last year alone, 11 crore devotees and tourists came to the Braj region. And if I talk about Uttar Pradesh, in 2025, 156 crore devotees came to Uttar Pradesh," he said.
Adityanath said the scale of the footfall had given the country and the world a new experience of connecting faith with the economy.
"This transformation is the result of a change in approach. Those who do not run away from challenges, but see possibilities in those challenges and take those possibilities towards solutions, establish new benchmarks of success," he said.
Targeting the previous Samajwadi Party government, Adityanath said it had failed to understand the sentiments of the people and alleged that celebrations of Krishna Janmashtami in police stations and jails had been prohibited before 2017.
He also alleged that the previous government had stopped the Kanwar Yatra.
"We not only reinstated the yatra but also ensured the playing of DJ, bells and conch shells," he said, adding that the pilgrimage was now being conducted in a devotional atmosphere.
Adityanath claimed that around 5 crore Kanwariyas participated in this year's Kanwar Yatra and "there was no untoward incident."
He said he had also directed that Shri Krishna Janmashtami be celebrated at police stations, jails and other important public places.
The chief minister said Uttar Pradesh had now emerged as an investment-friendly state, with investors complying with government policies eligible for incentives.
"We have facilities for investment, skilling and employment. Everything is online now," he said.
Adityanath claimed that his government had provided employment to 9.5 lakh youths.
Taking a swipe at the previous SP government over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, he said, "Those who were involved in chit leaks are involved in paper leaks."
He claimed that paper leaks had now been curbed in the state because of stringent laws, under which those found guilty could face life imprisonment and confiscation of their property.
During the SP tenure, the use of unfair means and breaches in the recruitment process were treated as a "birthright", Adityanath alleged, saying there was "chaos everywhere" and "chits were more important than talent".
He also accused the earlier governments of giving precedence to "fatwas over wisdom" and said appeasing one family was prioritised over Indian heritage.
"Uttar Pradesh has come out of it now," the chief minister said.
