Yogi Adityanath Takes Aim at Previous UP Governments, Says ‘Dynasty Politics’ Held Back Development
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presents a certificate and award cheque to a handloom artisan during the National Handloom Day programme in Lucknow on Friday.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday launched a sharp attack on previous state governments, accusing them of focusing on family politics and vote-bank considerations instead of development. Speaking at a state-level event marking National Handloom Day, he claimed that Uttar Pradesh faced serious challenges in law and order, electricity supply, roads and basic infrastructure before 2017.
Without directly naming Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Adityanath took a pointed swipe at the former chief minister while addressing the gathering after presenting the Sant Kabir State-Level Handloom Awards.
He alleged that the previous administration lacked a clear development vision and was more concerned with political and family interests. Referring to his political rival as “Babua”, Adityanath made comments about his daily routine and questioned how much attention was given to the state’s development.
The Chief Minister further alleged that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh struggled with poor law and order, frequent riots and curfews, inadequate electricity and weak road connectivity. He also claimed that traders, women, students, artisans and craftsmen faced insecurity and that such conditions affected economic activity.
According to Adityanath, several markets remained affected during periods of unrest, while handloom workers and other artisans faced difficulties in continuing their livelihoods. He also criticised the condition of basic schools for children from economically weaker sections, saying that facilities such as drinking water and toilets were inadequate at the time.
He claimed that the situation has changed significantly in recent years, pointing to improvements in infrastructure and government support for students and weaker sections of society.
Yogi Highlights Importance of Handloom Sector
While the speech included strong political criticism, Adityanath also focused heavily on Uttar Pradesh’s traditional handloom and handicraft industries.
He said the handloom sector is not merely a source of employment or income but an important part of India’s cultural identity. According to him, every handwoven product reflects generations of craftsmanship, patience and creativity.
August 7 is observed as National Handloom Day because the Swadeshi Movement was formally launched on the same date in 1905. Adityanath said the occasion serves as a reminder of India’s long-standing tradition of supporting indigenous products and craftsmanship.
Uttar Pradesh is home to several well-known handicrafts and handloom traditions, including Banarasi silk, Lucknow’s Chikankari, Bhadohi carpets and textiles produced in regions such as Mau, Tanda, Mubarakpur, Varanasi and Mirzapur.
The Chief Minister said around 2.5 lakh families, involving nearly 14 to 15 lakh people, depend directly on the handloom sector in the state. If powerloom workers are included, the number rises to around 30 lakh people.
He also highlighted government assistance provided to artisans. Last year, more than 40,000 handloom workers reportedly received electricity-related benefits worth around ₹109 crore.
Government Push for Modern Designs and Global Markets
Adityanath said traditional artisans must adapt to changing consumer preferences and international markets to remain competitive.
He encouraged artisans to focus on modern designs, improved products and better packaging while retaining the traditional character of their crafts. He described growing global demand for Indian textiles and handicrafts as a major opportunity for Uttar Pradesh.
The Chief Minister specifically highlighted handicraft clusters in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Barabanki, Ambedkar Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Mau, Azamgarh, Varanasi, Bhadohi and Mirzapur.
He said the state government would continue supporting artisans through training, skill development and other initiatives.
Students associated with the Handloom Facilitation Centre in Varanasi, he said, are receiving scholarships as well as training in packaging and skill development.
Bhadohi Carpets and UP’s Growing Global Reach
Adityanath also pointed to Bhadohi’s carpet industry as an example of the state’s changing economic landscape.
He claimed that the carpet cluster, which had struggled before 2017, has now regained momentum, with carpets worth hundreds of crores being exported to international markets.
Bhadohi-made carpets have also found a place in the new Parliament building, which the Chief Minister described as a matter of pride for Uttar Pradesh’s artisans.
He further said that more than 70% of workers in the handloom sector are women, highlighting the industry’s role in providing employment and economic opportunities to women.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has presented handicraft products from Uttar Pradesh as gifts to foreign leaders during international visits, saying such gestures help showcase the state’s traditional craftsmanship globally.
Focus on Uttar Pradesh’s Textile Future
Adityanath said the upcoming PM MITRA Textile Park in Lucknow, spread across around 1,000 acres, is expected to strengthen the state’s textile industry and create new opportunities for employment and investment.
He described textiles as one of India’s major employment-generating sectors after agriculture and said Uttar Pradesh has the potential to become a major hub for textile production and exports.
The Chief Minister concluded by assuring artisans and craftsmen that the state government would continue working to protect traditional industries while helping them modernise and compete in domestic and international markets.
His remarks combined a political attack on previous administrations with a broader message about development, employment and the preservation of Uttar Pradesh’s rich handloom heritage.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
