A $1 tn economic climate objective, a win in 2027 surveys: What CENTIMETERS Yogi Adityanath goes for Uttar Pradesh

In a special meeting with Network18 Group Editor- in-Chief Rahul Joshi at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared his sights on a variety of subjects. He used understandings right into the spiritual event, the nation’s political landscape, and his vision for Uttar Pradesh, consisting of strategies to make it a one-trillion-dollar economic climate.

The meeting with the UP centimeters was performed at the Sangam– the spiritual convergence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers– where he talked about vital elements of administration, spirituality, and social heritage.

Yogi Adityanath detailed his political ideology, which he stated is rooted in Sanatan Dharma’s worths of inclusivity and honesty. He additionally dealt with vital concerns such as financial advancement, well-being programs, unlawful migration, and the execution of a consistent civil code.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, thanks quite for providing this special meeting to New s18. We remain in the Maha Kumbh location today. We are checking out the event. The occasion is grand, unrivaled and stunning. I want to recognize a little regarding it from you. What entered into arranging such a large occasion and what is your message to the globe?

YOGI ADITYANATH: Rahul ji, to start with, I exuberantly welcome New s18 and your group to the Maha Kumbh location. Whatever you are seeing in Prayagraj and Maha Kumbh Nagar is the concrete kind of the vision of the valued Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India’s heritage must obtain its due regard It is an instance of exactly how it is the obligation of the federal government to value the belief. The divine and grand Kumbh is a testimony to this idea. Today’s generation is being familiar with regarding the heritage of hundreds of years and the older generation is taking satisfaction in handing down India’s social heritage to its following generation to ensure that they can shield it and take it onward in the exact same grand means. The photos from the Maha Kumbh that you witness are the divine and grand kind of theSanatan Dharma This is what Sanatana is recognized for. It is India’s practice to organise such grand Kumbhs to support our social and spiritual tradition. Such occasions were begun with this goal. This is the divine land ofPrayagraj Crores of supporters take a dip in the Triveni of Maa Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in the existence of saints and obtain their share of punya (benefits).

RAHUL JOSHI: I have actually been to the Kumbh previously also. In 2019, you arranged a grand Ardh Kumbh, and I came there also. But the sort of group I am seeing this time around is normally what we witness on theMauni Amavasya Snaan But currently there is such a group each day.

YOGI ADITYANATH: This event is a message of the unity of India You are best. Usually, we would certainly see massive groups on Mauni Amavasya, however we are seeing comparable numbers each day. In 2019, 4 crore supporters bathed in the Sangam on the day ofMauni Amavasya This time, 4 crore supporters bathed in the Sangam on the day of Makar Sankranti itself In the previous 10 days, greater than 10 crore supporters have swum in theSangam Today, greater than 2 crore supporters remain in the Maha Kumbh location for the divine dip. This will certainly take place till February 3. On Mauni Amavasya, we anticipate the groups to increase 3 to 5 times contrasted to 2019.

RAHUL JOSHI: Three to 5 times! What is the overall tramp you anticipate?

YOGI ADITYANATH: In my quote, the 45-day parish at Maha Kumbh will certainly see a tramp that will certainly amount the third-largest populace on the planet … after India and China … in this momentary set up. We anticipate 40-45 crore supporters will certainly offer the message of nationwide unity via the divine dip at the Sangam.

RAHUL JOSHI: Congratulations on this wonderful event! Where did you and your cupboard swim?

YOGI ADITYANATH: Right prior to us. The convergence of Yamuna ji and Maa Ganga is right below. There is additionally an idea regarding the unnoticeable mommy Saraswati, that the 3 satisfy at this place. It is below that lakhs of supporters are swimming at this Sangam.

RAHUL JOSHI: You and your cupboard were seen chuckling and sprinkling water on each various other. Did it advise you of your youth?

YOGI ADITYANATH: It was a remarkable minute. It can not be revealed in words. These are extraordinary minutes. We take satisfaction in spreading out the message of unity via Maha Kumbh to individuals of Uttar Pradesh and the compatriots. Where we are standing, this is the Sangam location and there is a ft at the front. It has an Akshay Vat. In an initially, we have actually made the Akshay Vat Corridor, where lakhs of supporters are checking out each day. There is additionally a temple of Maa Saraswati; this kind shows up, unlike the river. The Patalpuri Corridor is additionally improved it. The 3 hallways remain in the ft. The 4th passage is of Bade Hanumanji holy place, with Lete Hanumanji, famously called Bade Hanumanji, and supporters can see below.

RAHUL JOSHI: It is my good luck to interview you in Prayagraj, where I matured. Modiji pertained to Banaras and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor was developed. Kashi came on the international map. Similarly, the Ram Temple was integrated in Ayodhya and the Pran Pratishtha happened on January 22 in 2014. Today, the globe is discussing Prayagraj owing to theMaha Kumbh Do you assume it will additionally end up being a centre of spiritual tourist in the coming times?

YOGI ADITYANATH: This toughness of India was sadly not taken advantage of by the previous federal governments. The prospective in the heritage of India and spiritual tourist was seen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That is why under the management of Modi ji, Kashi obtained Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, 2019 had the Prayagraj Kumbh, and Ayodhya saw the building and construction of the divine and grand Maryada Purushottam Ram Temple at theShri Ramjanmabhoomi You can see a brand-new Ayodhya currently. Vindhyavasini Dham has a brand-new, grand passage and dham. Uttarakhand has Kedarnath Dham inKedar Puri Mahalok Dham atMahakaal These areas are drawing in crores of supporters and revealing the power of India’s spiritual tourist to the globe. I have no reluctance in stating that till 8-10 years back, Uttar Pradesh remained in 3rd location in regards to tourist, however today it is no. 1 due to this spiritual power. It has actually not just offered brand-new chances to individuals below however has actually additionally played a significant duty in financial advancement. It has actually additionally offered a brand-new increase to the economic climate below.

RAHUL JOSHI: We have actually listened to that Rs 7,500 crore was invested on arranging this grand occasion. How has the Maha Kumbh supercharged the financial task below?

YOGI ADITYANATH: The expense of Rs 7,500 crore is except the Maha Kumbh alone. The cash has actually additionally gone in the direction of improving the connection of Prayagraj city, on freeways, train terminals, and the airport terminal. The most amount has actually been invested in the advancement of roadways, overbridges, underpasses, overpass, and so on, for the city. The convergence of individuals at the Maha Kumbh over the 45 days will certainly result in a development of Rs 2 lakh crore in the economic climate ofUttar Pradesh UP and India will certainly offer a brand-new financial concept to the globe– whenever you acknowledge your toughness, you will certainly see this sort of development.

RAHUL JOSHI: Rs 2 lakh crore is nearly 10% of UP’s GDP.

YOGI ADITYANATH: The Maha Kumbh’s payment to UP’s GDP will certainly be 10%.

RAHUL JOSHI: We were discussing exactly how the Maha Kumbh 2025 has actually been arranged Yesterday, I got on my means to Prayagraj from Mumbai, and there had to do with 90 individuals from the Young Presidents’ Organization on the trip. They were manufacturers, taking a trip with their spouses and youngsters. They have such belief that they all stated they wished to take a dip in theSangam I have actually seen a great deal of children, along with international travelers. How did you connect to the young people, international travelers, and business owners?

YOGI ADITYANATH: The largest point in arranging the Maha Kumbh is that India’s young generation is in wealth The previous federal governments made it an occasion for elderly people, however they did not supply centers for that. The Kumbh Mela was associated with dirt, charge, and turmoil.

As you can see for the very first time, in 2019 along with in 2025, it is the outcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that the Kumbh Mela can currently be linked to sanitation and safety. And it is due to the grand plans that there is an assemblage of modernity and spirituality. Hence, it is noticeable that the young people will certainly belong of this. Be it a business owner, a technocrat, a physician, any person that is linked to any kind of modern sector, they would certainly wish to come below. Like you saw the children on the trip and throughout your coverage on the 13th and 14th, you need to have observed that not simply Indians, we have worldwide site visitors also. We do not just have Hindus below, however additionally non-Hindus Whoever has actually swum in the Sangam has actually teemed with appreciation. This Kumbh is an archetype of exactly how these occasions can be arranged in a grand way with the touch of the divine.

RAHUL JOSHI: Your expert, Mahant Avaidyanath ji, was associated with theRam Janmabhoomi Movement Last year, the Ram holy place was additionally ushered in. This year’s Kumbh should be psychological for you.

YOGI ADITYANATH: It is my good luck that January 2024 finished a delay of 500 years with the facility of theRam Temple Ram Lalla is currently in his rightful home. I existed there as a sevak for site visitors from home and abroad. I additionally have had the good luck of arranging the Kumbh in 2019 and the Maha Kumbh in 2025. So I am privileged. There was additionally the Kumbh Mela in 2013 for which my adored gurudev existed; today, he is not below with us, however his true blessings are with us. All those magnificent individualities that existed in 2013 however are no more with us need to be pleased today and bathing the occasion with their true blessings. This brand-new success tale that Uttar Pradesh is composing is all due to the visionary management of the Prime Minister.

RAHUL JOSHI: Modi ji has a various strategy to Sanatan Dharma. If you wish to offer a message to the globe regarding Sanatan Dharma via Maha Kumbh, what will you claim?

YOGI ADITYANATH: The Maha Kumbh circulates just one message. You need to currently be privy to it. There is no caste, creed, sect or sex discrimination. All individuals have the ability to wash in the Sangam, there is no discrimination. No one recognizes that is alongside them. The message of the Maha Kumbh is the message of unity and honesty, and this need to head out right into the globe. If all the saints, supporters or also travelers, that belong to the Maha Kumbh, take onward the message of unity, after that Sanatan Dharma will certainly be reinforced and, if Sanatan Dharma is solid, then our nation will certainly be more powerful.

RAHUL JOSHI: Mahant Avaidyanath ji stated the Ram Janmabhoomi activity was to join Hindus however the Mandal Commission separated Hindus right into castes. Now that you have actually arranged such a huge occasion, resistance leaders are stating this is the politicisation of a spiritual occasion. How do you see this?

YOGI ADITYANATH: I think this, our team believe this, Gorakshapeeth additionally thinks, that the downtrodden and the impoverished need to obtain their legal rights. Dalits and those from the Backward Castes along with impoverished areas of culture are obtaining their legal rights in independentIndia But, separating the culture for your political passion, or for caste, area, or language is absolutely nothing much less than treason. If you attempt ahead to power by separating culture and just to circulate family members policy, the nation will certainly decline this. We need to not obtain separated, we need to make India solid. This is the toughness of Sanatan, the toughness of the nation, the toughness of all Indians.

RAHUL JOSHI: Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav speak about caste demographics. What is your viewpoint on it? Are you in favour of a caste demographics or do you feel it is a harmful relocation?

YOGI ADITYANATH: I think that the bad, robbed, Dalits, and Backward Castes need to obtain their legal rights and this is the obligation of a delicate federal government. And, it is the good luck of the nation that in the previous years, for the very first time in independent India, every such individual has actually experienced this under the management ofPrime Minister Modi Be it giving homes to the 4 crore bad individuals, creating commodes for 12 crore bad, giving 10 crore LPG links to them, totally free electrical energy to 4 crore bad individuals, or totally free provision to 80 crore individuals for the previous 5 years– this has actually occurred for the very first time. Around 12 crore farmers are recipients of the Kisan Samman Nidhi system. There was no discrimination in all these plans, and this has actually just been feasible as a result of Modi ji’s management and well-being systems with the vision of Sabka Saath,Sabka Vikas But, fans of Sanatan need to beware of those attempting to separate individuals on the lines of caste, creed, area, or faith.

RAHUL JOSHI: In the 2024 political elections, the NDA’s motto was “400 paar”. But, the opposition spoke about the Constitution being changed, which somehow struck a chord. And, if you take Uttar Pradesh, it was expected that the NDA would gain more than it did in 2019 but you only managed 33 seats. What do you think happened, where did you go wrong?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  The INDI alliance, with the help of foreign funding, spread a lot of propaganda on the Constitution being changed, or spun a narrative about reservation being removed. They used social media platforms and digital media to promote this propaganda, but the public realised the truth of it only after the elections. The public has once again decided to teach the opposition a lesson. You saw what happened in Haryana and, no matter what happened in the Lok Sabha polls where the seats were equally divided, the BJP was successful in forming the government with a full majority in the assembly elections. In Maharashtra, they were successful back then, but after the assembly elections, the BJP and NDA formed a government with full majority. In UP bypolls, the BJP won seven out of nine seats, while the INDI aliance was reduced to two. Similar results have been seen elsewhere. Their lies stand exposed and the public knows what the reality is. People also know that those roaming around with a copy of the Constitution are the same who insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar, strangled the Constitution, and kept amending it for their political interests. They will not survive for long in Indian politics.

RAHUL JOSHI: So Yogi ji, if you take this matter forward, then what issues will you take to the people in the 2027 elections of Uttar Pradesh?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Our objective is very clear. Heritage, development, welfare schemes for the poor and instilling a sense of security among people are our top issues. Focusing on the 2027 polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the NDA will move ahead to achieve all this with the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (together with all, development for all). And we will again form the government in UP with a full majority.

RAHUL JOSHI: So, apart from the issue of law and order, what are the other issues?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  As I said, there is legacy, there’s development, and welfare for every village, every poor, every farmer, every youth, and every woman. The government is doing its work by giving priority to the interests of all.

RAHUL JOSHI: How important will your allies be in Uttar Pradesh? I saw that you called everyone forward in the press conference. You also spoke about Rajbhar ji (Om Prakash Rajbhar).

YOGI ADITYANATH:  All are part of the state cabinet, and hence, all members of the cabinet make decisions together. All of them came here (for the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj) as well. So, when we were told that a photograph of the cabinet at the Maha Kumbh Mela would be clicked, we said that the leaders of all our alliance parties would also come forward.

RAHUL JOSHI: So then it can be said that all are together?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Everyone is together. We will stay together in future as well.

RAHUL JOSHI: You talked about the great victory in Haryana and Maharashtra. It was a huge comeback and a very convincing win. The BJP saw a big victory in both places, especially in Maharashtra. In those days, you gave a slogan: “Batoge toh katoge“ So I needed to know from where did you obtain this? How did you consider it? Please clarify its significance to us.

YOGI ADITYANATH: During the Haryana political elections, I obtained the chance to visitMathura I remained there for an evening, and the following day I mosted likely to Agra to reveal the sculpture ofDurgadas Rathore In the middle ages duration, Durgadas Rathore was a really worthy general of the Jodhpur king. According to lots of, when Aurangzeb can not beat Maharaja Jaswant Singh, the king of Jodhpur, he made a deal with him. Aurangzeb asked him to assault the Afghans and ensured assistance.

So when Maharaja Jaswant Singh ji mosted likely to assault the Afghans, Aurangzeb, rather than assisting him as ensured, struck the king from behind by deceptiveness. And Raja Jaswant Singh was martyred because battle. His child Ajit Singh was with him. The queen was additionally with him. When General Durgadas Rathore saw that after eliminating the Maharaja, Aurangzeb’s military was intending to eliminate the royal prince, he took Ajit and the queen and maintained them in an ashram and later on took them away.

When Prince Ajit Singh matured, he was made the king ofJodhpur Till the age of 91, Durgadas Rathore stayed inJodhpur After that, he took sanyas and mosted likely toUjjain He breathed his last there.

All those that connect with the tale, and that come from the Teli caste wished to mount a statuary in Agra, however some areas were opposing it. We called both the areas and spoke to them. In completion, a concession was gotten to. Then when the sculpture was mounted, I stated: “If you’ll be separated, you will certainly be damaged. If you stay united, you will certainly stay better.”

And I am thankful that the honourable Prime Minister has given the message of connecting the entire country through “Ek rahoge toh safe rahoge“, and I think that the message of Maha Kumbh is additionally that the nation will certainly stay wholehearted just via unity. If the nation stays united, the nation will certainly stay risk-free. Sanatan Dharma will certainly stay risk-free. Every caste, every viewpoint, every sect, every creed will certainly additionally stay risk-free And if there is this safety, success will certainly come immediately.

RAHUL JOSHI: I wished to comprehend something from you that in your very first term, you fixed a large trouble of order, for which the general public offered you a substantial success once more. What are your significant success in this term?

YOGI ADITYANATH: Whatever we stated, we have actually done it. It was stated previously also: “Modi hai toh mumkin hai” (Everything is possible under the governance of PM Modi). So under the PM’s leadership, and with his guidance and blessings, the Bharatiya Janata Party has done what it said. And I think that when there is similarity in the conduct and thought of a person, then the blessings of the people are with him.

The public needs a safe environment. The youth need employment. Farmers need opportunities to advance their prosperity. Sisters and daughters need security. There should be a system for every businessman to do business in a safe environment. This is what the double-engine government is doing in Uttar Pradesh, and BJP will get its benefits.

RAHUL JOSHI: I have a small personal question. People saw you as an administrator. In your first term, they saw you as a tough administrator, whatever you determined, you did it. How have you evolved as an administrator from the first term to the second term?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Look, I am not an administrator, I am a common citizen. I am a common sadhu. I follow the routine and the traditions of saints and yogis. I follow it strictly for myself. So when it is applied to me, then naturally Uttar Pradesh gets its benefit. If I do not implement it myself, then Uttar Pradesh will be deprived of all these. But if I strictly implement it on myself, then UP gets its benefit.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, you just talked about the spectacular victories in Haryana and Maharashtra. Now there are elections in Delhi. You have entered the field, and as soon as you came, you tried to unite the society by talking about Hindutva. What do you think this time? Will the BJP form the government after 26 years?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  You are in Prayagraj, right? So here, there is a confluence of Maa Ganga, Maa Yamuna and Maa Saraswati in Prayagraj. See the difference between the Yamuna here and the Yamuna in Delhi. You can also take a sip of water in the Yamuna here; you can also bathe. Is this possible in Delhi?

And this is what I want to say. The Aam Aadmi Party has cheated the country, cheated the people of Delhi, cheated the people of the capital. You can see it there. Yamuna ji has been turned into a dirty drain. Not only are the people of Delhi suffering its ill effects, but the people of Mathura, Vrindavan, and Agra are also suffering.

Later, when Yamuna tributaries – Chambal, Ken, Betwa – and the holy water of other rivers meet Yamuna, then a divine river flows. There are treatment plants installed for it. The results of the water harvesting done by us at various places are visible. Ganga and Yamuna can be seen so clear and uninterrupted in Uttar Pradesh. Otherwise, the kind of situation these people (AAP) have created… this is not just about a river, they have betrayed the Indian culture in the same way.

RAHUL JOSHI: Kejriwal ji has said that he wants to send his education minister here so that he can give some tips to the Yogi government on how to bring changes in education…

YOGI ADITYANATH:  If their education minister comes to UP, he will learn something from UP before leaving. They should in fact study UP. Our education budget is as much as the budget of the whole of Delhi. Their budget is Rs 78,000-80,000 crore and UP has a budget of more than Rs 1,00,000 crore for education alone. So what will they teach us by coming here? They will definitely learn from here. Also, like I took the holy dip in this confluence of Maa Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Sangam with my cabinet, they should also come with the entire cabinet. It would be good if they also take a dip once.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, Kejriwal ji started the politics of freebies a long time ago. He gave free electricity, free water, etc. So this time, do you think this politics of freebies will win? Or will your Hindutva win?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Look, Hindutva is not a political issue for us. We are providing free security. And this is the right of every citizen. We are providing welfare schemes to whoever needs them. A double-engine government is providing it. The treasury belongs to the people of the state, it is not mine, it is not personal to me. I have no right to give it away. Whatever is the right of the people, it should be available to them. Every effort is being made to make it available to them.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, I have a question, which is a larger question, with a bird’s-eye view. Do you worry about this revdi culture, this freebie culture? Several elections have been held in the last few years and now only freebies are being handed out. And this has happened in states ruled by your party as well, like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka. You give freebies and the election results are positive too. Maharashtra has Ladki Bahin scheme too. Are you worried about this? You want to make UP a trillion-dollar economy. This kind of freebie culture will also slow down growth. Money will be spent less on infrastructure. What is your view on this?

YOGI ADITYANATH: Look, I believe that we have to work with a long-term vision. This has to be performance-based. There is nothing wrong in implementing welfare schemes, but if this is performance-based, then people will have faith in their own efforts. No one can reach the peak of prosperity through inaction. Bear in mind, the crisis that the world is facing today, in such a time, during a pandemic like Covid-19, India stands alone in the world as an economy. The world is faltering. The reason is that India has prioritised action and has given the message of action. We will have to keep up that hard work; otherwise, it does not take long to falter.

RAHUL JOSHI: So what you are saying is that what the central government is doing, those welfare schemes will continue, and that is not revdi culture or freebies?

YOGI ADITYANATH: I am saying those are welfare schemes in which what is given depends on the performance. It is performance-based. And I think that will be beneficial for everyone. It will benefit the public as well as the country.

RAHUL JOSHI: I want to ask a question on Sambhal, in a slightly different way. Mohan Bhagwat ji said that we should not search for a temple under every mosque. How do you see this in the context of Sambhal?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  See, this was not related to Sambhal. You must have noticed that afterwards, Organiser and Panchjanya also clearly stated that this is a journey from Somnath to Sambhal to find the truth. What Sarsanghchalak ji has said is a message for those people who are unnecessarily trying to raise every issue forcibly to gain cheap publicity. We have to look at those issues that are based on truth and can be taken forward through dialogue in a cordial environment. Creating an unnecessary controversy on every issue is not appropriate in today’s time. But yes, there is no need to back down from the truth.

RAHUL JOSHI: So your work will continue in Sambhal, in Mathura for temples…

YOGI ADITYANATH:  What I am saying is the truth of Sambhal, Mathura, and Kashi should come out.

RAHUL JOSHI: The opposition repeatedly says that Yogi ji always targets Muslims. We have already discussed this, but they say earlier it was Azam Khan and now it is the Barq family. Earlier cases were filed for goat theft, now cases are filed for power theft. What is your response to this?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Look, we do not target anyone and there is no need for that either. But those who spoil the harmony of society and consider it their birthright and feel entitled to carry out unlawful activities… it is the moral duty of the government to bring them under the ambit of law and the government is performing its duty.

RAHUL JOSHI: There are lakhs of Bangladeshis in India today, you raised this issue in Delhi also. Because of this, riots are taking place. By preparing Aadhaar cards, they are also getting the benefits of welfare schemes here. So what do you see as the solution to this problem?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Look, if something is a threat to security, is changing the religious demography, and knowing that this was the reason for the partition of the country, we have to become alert and cautious about it in time. The example of Delhi is in front of you. Okhla is an industrial town in Delhi. The Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi could not set up any industry in the last 10 years. New Okhla or NOIDA has become the biggest investment destination of the country. They invested in settling Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas there. We invested in bringing industrial units and modern-age technology. Data centres are being built, robotic centres are being built, and many new AI centres are being established there. Lakhs of youths are getting employment opportunities from there. This is the difference between the two: the double-engine government of Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh, and the government of Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi.

For their political interests, they are turning Bangladeshi infiltrators into voters, discouraging investment, are unable to provide employment, have completely stopped development plans. But, on the other hand, the Uttar Pradesh government has succeeded in establishing the state as the biggest destination for investment. We have succeeded in establishing UP as the biggest hub of spiritual tourism in the country. We have succeeded in providing work to the youth of UP by generating the highest employment in the country. And in UP, we have succeeded in creating a model of infrastructure for the country.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, you have called the Waqf Board a mafia board. You have said that we will take back every inch of the government land that they have taken over. How will this happen?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Look, this has happened, and it is happening. I had to say this when their claims started coming in for Ayodhya, Kashi, Prayagraj, Sambhal, for every place, that “this is Waqf land” So after that I began undergoing the old earnings documents and afterwards, things that appeared are prior to us. We had the ability to see that their insurance claims were incorrect. Then I needed to claim that do not transform the Waqf Board right into a mafia board. Otherwise, the UP mafia job pressure will certainly begin doing something about it on this. We have actually changed the policies of the UP Waqf Board and have actually made plans to examine the earnings documents and do something about it appropriately. All their insurance claims are verifying to be incorrect.

RAHUL JOSHI: Will Uniform Civil Code be executed in UP and by when?

YOGI ADITYANATH: Seeing exactly how UP runs, do you still question the presence of Uniform Civil Code?

RAHUL JOSHI: So you are stating it has currently been executed?

YOGI ADITYANATH: Yes, it has actually currently been executed.

RAHUL JOSHI: In your last term, you obtained the tag ofBulldozer Baba People had the hope that whenever they really did not obtain justice, they would certainly obtain justice this way and they carefully called youBulldozer Baba Then came the Supreme Court standards. The resistance is stating that currently ” excavator fear and forest raj” will end in UP. So what will Bulldozer Baba do now?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Jungle raj existed under previous governments in UP. The rule that has come in UP after 2017 is Ram Rajya. Security for everyone, respect for everyone, connecting everyone with welfare schemes, giving everyone their rights, all this has happened in UP. After the order of the honourable Supreme Court, our work has become easier. And you must have seen during the hearing that Uttar Pradesh was the only state that has taken its actions forward by following all the guidelines of the honourable Supreme Court. And even now, our actions against the anti-social elements are progressing uninterruptedly while following due process and within the ambit of the law.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, you have pledged to make UP a $1-trillion economy. By when will this happen? Some say 2027, you have said 2030. So, when will this happen?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  We have set a deadline of 2029. By 2029, UP will be a $1-trillion economy. An action plan has been made for that and it is being implemented. In the last seven to eight years, we have succeeded in more than doubling our economy despite the Covid-19 pandemic for over three years. I believe that we will achieve the $1 trillion dream by 2029.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, at one point of time, Mayawati used to say that Uttar Pradesh is a very big state, 80 MPs go to Lok Sabha from here. After the delimitation exercise, if there are supposedly 850 seats, then UP will have about 150 seats. What is your opinion? Mayawati would talk about dividing the state into four parts because of its sheer size. How do you see this?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  See, UP is UP in itself and this is its potential. I think UP should achieve its goals by staying united and I think that is its strength. That is its identity and its respect.

RAHUL JOSHI: I try to ask you a few personal questions every time and this time too will do the same. You were doing BSc in Mathematics from Garhwal University. After that, you were doing MSc. After that, you suddenly took sanyas. How did this happen?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  This is the destiny from previous births. This is neither in my control nor in yours. Whatever is written by God, will happen. And the same happened with me.

RAHUL JOSHI: So how did you get drawn towards this?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  See, I have always been in favour of imparting practical knowledge. And I went into the company of revered saints and saw different sects and cults. Later, when I felt that the Nath community was a community associated with practical yoga, I came at that time and took initiation from Mahant Avaidyanath Ji Maharaj and then I became a part of this entire tradition.

RAHUL JOSHI: Your guru’s guru, Digvijaynath ji, was also in the Lok Sabha; he was also an MP. Mahant Avaidyanath ji was also in politics. You became an MP at the age of 26 and now you are the chief minister of the largest state. How do you see religion and politics? Is there any contradiction in this?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  If you believe, it is Gangajal; if you don’t, it is just flowing water. If you believe, then religion is a way of life which is a flow of virtue, duty, and moral values on which the life of an individual and society is sustained.

Can any politics turn away from duty? Can it turn away from virtue and moral values? If politics is balanced, we will achieve prosperity. If not, downfall is guaranteed.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, when you came to Gorakhpur, you were just 21 years old. At that time, Gorakhpur was in the grip of the mafia. There were two or three big mafia dons; murders used to happen every day. When you came there, did you learn anything from it as to how you would move forward? What is your thinking today?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  I came to Gorakhpur in 1992-93. The situation was very bad. There were three-four big mafias and they had their own gangs. Every businessman, every entrepreneur of Gorakhpur used to pay Goonda Tax. Every doctor used to pay Goonda Tax. For the next 2-3 years, I also experienced everything; how the system was completely paralysed. No government, no one had any say in front of the mafia.

But after 1996, when I felt that sitting idle would not work — because no one spoke in front of them, the entire machinery was silent in front of them — I had to get down into the field myself. I used to speak against them, I used to fight, there were protests and before becoming an MP, we almost controlled the mafia raj in Gorakhpur.

We held meetings with every businessman, every doctor, and every entrepreneur. I told them that no Goonda Tax will be paid now, and if they do, they will invite trouble for themselves. I am happy that every businessman, every person of Gorakhpur believed in it. Today, there is complete peace and security. When I became the chief minister, I was successful in implementing [the strategy] across the state.

RAHUL JOSHI: It was a very dangerous job at that time. Fighting them was a big deal.

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Those mafias then had the protection of the government. But now I think that struggle became the bedrock of the fight against mafias in the state.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, you left your family at a very young age. People do not know much about your family. Whatever little we know; you have a sister, she runs a tea stall. One of your brothers is probably a Subedar, I may be wrong. One of your brothers is a journalist, one works in Gorakhnath College. So you grew up in such an ordinary environment. Today you are the chief minister of the state. Do you get to talk to them? Do you miss them?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  It is my good fortune that my biological family never interfered in any of my religious or political activities with any agenda. They don’t even come to me. I am sure none of them have seen the Gorakhnath Math yet. All those who are coming here [Maha Kumbh] are like family to me. I enjoy serving these people and I believe that whatever virtue they earn, all that will be received by them [biological family] as well.

RAHUL JOSHI: One last question. After coming into politics, people become power-hungry. There is nepotism, they think about their family, they start thinking about their children. How does a yogi stay away from this greed for power? And if you were not the chief minister today, what would Yogi Adityanath be doing?

YOGI ADITYANATH:  I am doing my work as a yogi and will continue to do so. My only mission is to strengthen Sanatan Dharma. Working for the strength of India, my whole life is at the feet of Mother India and dedicated to Sanatan Dharma. In this lies the welfare of the country and the society.

RAHUL JOSHI: Yogi ji, thank you very much. I myself grew up in Prayagraj, so it is my good fortune that today I am interviewing you for the first time in Prayagraj, that too during the holy festival of Maha Kumbh. Thank you very much on behalf of our audience.

YOGI ADITYANATH:  Rahul ji, you have come here, I welcome you and your entire team in Maha Kumbh city. And this stunning sight that you are seeing ahead, this is of Triveni, Sangam shore. I assume that the crores of visitors of New s18 will certainly obtain a chance to see the scene and see its splendour and be impressed by it.