last week the ASSOCHAM released its survey saying improved air connectivity, proper care of heritage sites and better management of pilgrimage spots have helped Uttar Pradesh emerge as an affordable and safe holiday destination for the domestic and foreign tourists. This news must be a music for Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s ears as in 2015 he had tried to bring Uttar Pradesh to global map and had succeeded at last.
looking back – 2015 is a roller coaster ride for Chief Minister as in last 365 days Uttar Pradesh witnessed many ups and downs. Barring Dadri lynching incident the law and order situation has remained under control. The number of communal clashes too came down drastically showing that CM has been able to reign in anti-social elements.
At the stroke of 2015 Yadav had declared two gifts for Uttar Pradesh – one metro for lucknow and, two, Agra-lucknow Expressway promising reduction of commutation time between two important cities. The Government is well on track to fulfill both these promises by the end of 2016. Metros are even planned for Varanasi – the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kanpur.
Besides, Government’s resolve to improve infrastructure including roads and power generation also got an impetus. Yadav says almost all in his public meeting that his Government was committed to provide 20-24 hour electricity in cities and 16-20 hour power supply in rural areas. The 2015 has seen Government’s firm stride towards solar power generation. Besides construction of many thermal power stations are on.
The biggest talking point in 2015 could be the changing landscape of lucknow. The emerging CG City, international standard stadium in Gomti Nagar extension, IT City and Medi- city which are set to change the contours of city and make state capital as job hunting place for youth.
If 2015 was testimony to positive stride towards development, the state also faced nature’s vagaries. Early this year state faced unseasonal rains in March and April washing away the Rabi crop while traditional monsoon rains failed the state affecting Kharif production. In November UP Government declared 50 out of 75 districts as drought hit rubbing state’s economy on the wrong side.
This year will also be remembered as a conflict between Raj Bhawan and state government selection of lokayukta. It was probably first time in the annals of state government when Governor had returned the file of lokayukta thrice. The Governor also spiked Government’s nominee for lokayukta because Chief Justice of High Court was not on the same page as Chief Minister on selection of lokayukta.
The situation reached such a point that Supreme Court had to intervene and the situation became murkier even after the Apex Court declared lokayukta for UP and then stayed swearing after a PIl was filed alleging Government had mis-led the Court.
It is not only lokayukta, Government also found itself wanting on appointment of Anil Yadav as Chairman, Uttar Pradesh State Service Selection Commission. This time too Court intervened and declared appointment of Anil Yadav null and void.
Appointment of Shiksha Mitras also earned High Court’s ire but state government got reprieve from Supreme Court. Yadav Singh’s case also pushed the state government on the back foot.
There is no doubt that all political parties have used 2015 as run up for 2017 assembly elections. Chief Minister has sent a strong message that he means business when he carried out a massive reshuffle in his council of ministers dropping non-performers and striking a subtle balance between youth and experience.
The Ayodhya issue is suddenly back with saffron organisations raising the pitch for construction of Ram Mandir at Ram Janmabhoomi complex. The BJP is like to use this issue to sensatise its voters
The Panchayat elections have given Bahujan Samaj Party a shot in its arm. The party which had gone into shell after lok Sabha poll debacle is back with vigor. Mayawati had taken series of meetings of party workers asking them to gear up for elections. The party has declared that elections might be held late 2016.
Akhilesh Yadav is also getting ready for the electoral battle. Therefore, he has declared that all the power projects and Agree-lucknow Highway should be completed by October, 2016. In this scenario the ASSOCHAM report saying UP has emerged as famous tourist hub for Indian and foreign tourists because of improvement in infrastructure is really a music for CM’s ears.