Sending a clear message that he wants a cordial relationship with Akhilesh Yadav government and would not interfere in the administrative working in the state, the new Governor Ram Naik said that he will work as a ‘bridge between the state and Centre as per the Constitutional framework and traditions.
‘’My main aim will be to make Uttar Pradesh an Uttam Pradesh through constitutional framework and opening the gates of Raj Bhawan for every individual,’’ he said while adding that he would not interfere into ny administrative work of the state government.
‘’I will just act as a bridge between the Centre and state. I will seek support from the state for the Central projects like Ganga development and on the other hand will seek the same from Centre in development of UP,’’ the former Union minister said.
Addressing his maiden press conference at Raj Bhawan here on Tuesday evening after taking charge as UP Governor Naik said UP is the fifth largest populated country in the world and a birth place of lord Ram and Krishna, hence it is a big honour and responsibility given to him by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
‘’I am here to strengthen the democratic system and will try to hear the problems of the people,’’ he said and stressed that his biggest challenge would be to improve the educational qualities of the universities of the state, as he is the chancellor of 24 such universities.
He also refused to review the decisions taken by the previous governor Azizi Qureshi saying that a Governor has no such power like a democratic elected government to review his predecessor’s decisions. ‘’There is no question of reviewing any decision of the previous governors as I have no such powers,’’ he said. He said that if any party or any person has any grievances over any decision of the previous Governor, he can move the court.
Assuring the people of the state that he will try to take ‘honest’ pro-people decisions during his five year tenure, Naik commented on the law and order situation saying: ‘’I don’t want to make any allegations and will work with the government with full faith.’’ ‘’The law and order and education system in the country is degrading and it is my biggest concern for us,’’ he said. “I was the convener of the BJP’s Good Governance Cell in the past and hence know how to work for the development of the country or any state,” he said.
However, the former Union Minister termed his gubernatorial assignment as second innings. ‘’Coming to UP for me is just like a new bride oing to her in-laws house knowing nothing what will happen there or what to do there,’’ he said.
The Governor also disclosed that after his appointment as the Governor, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party supreme Mulayam Singh Yadav had greeted him. When asked about the harassment of north Indian in Mumbai he said Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) which tried to gain political mileage is in a big trouble after it faced a major debacle in the lok Sabha
elections. ‘’There should be no politics over caste or language but MNS tried to take the advantage. They faced a severe drubbing in the lok Sabha elections when all their candidates lost their deposits,’’ Naik said.