Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath castigated the opposition for boycotting the special session of UP legislature to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday. Yogi said that the opposition had not only insulted ‘Bapu’ but also 23 crore people of Uttar Pradesh.
The marathon session would continue for 36 hours till the late hours of Thursday.
The ways and means to achieve sustainable development goals as decided by United Nations would be the top agenda for the members of UP Assembly and Legislative Council in the special session.
Yogi compared the conduct of the opposition with that of epic Mahabharat’s villain Duryodhan. “The Kaurav king knew the difference between vice and virtue, yet he sided with vices and the opposition parties have emulated the character of Duryodhan,” he said.
Specifically targeting the 15-year uninterrupted rule of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in the state, the Chief Minister said, “They have no face to show as they cannot see beyond the politics of dynasty and casteism. We pursue the agenda of development while their sole agenda is casteism. Both parties are rattled by our agenda of development as it attacks their narrow caste-based vested interest.”
“The opposition has shown disrespect not only to Mahatma Gandhi but also to the common man of the state as the discussion on sustainable goals would have worked to the favour of the poor. I am most surprised at Congress’ decision to boycott the session since this party claims to be Gandhi’s legacy. They have remained in power in the name of Gandhi and now they are boycotting a session dedicated to Gandhi, which is shameful,” Yogi said.
The Chief Minister further said, “We talk of peace and they (Congress) talk of terrorism; we talk of self-reliance and they of power in few hands. Their politics is not in national interest but in the interest of a few and they are concerned about vote bank politics.”
Yogi said that the comprehensive discussion would help the government evolve a policy that would benefit the needy. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat campaign had already delivered the goods in the state. He also cited the dip in encephalitis deaths in eastern UP to prove his point. 
Describing Gandhi’s mantra of ‘swachhata, swadeshi, gram-swaraj, saadgi (simplicity) and swawlamban (self-reliance), Yogi said that these qualities made him a global leader.
The 17 sustainable goals of United Nations are no poverty, zero hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water, affordable energy, economic growth, industry and infrastructure, reduced inequality, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace and justice, strong institutions and partnership to achieve the goal.
Talking about UN Sustainable Development goals, the Chief Minister said that it was adopted by the UN in 2015 with a target to solve 16 issues by 2030.
The Chief Minister claimed that during the 30-month rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party in UP, record welfare schemes had been launched which showed results.
“We don’t do politics like previous government, who launched samajwadi ambulances to promote their party. We have introduced 250 life support ambulances which have saved lives of over one lakh people in the state,” he added. 
Yogi claimed that there were no starvation deaths during the BJP’s 30-month rule in UP while over three crore ration cards were provided to the people for subsidised ration.
Commenting on his government’s priority on uplift of women and to end disparity, Yogi said that 20 per cent appointments in UP Police had been reserved for women while three women battalions of PAC were being set up.
Claiming that law and order in the state was better, the Chief Minister said that the police were being strengthened and ultra modern gadgets were being given to them. He said a forensic science university was being set up in Lucknow while every division would have a forensic science lab.
Concluding his 120-minute speech, Yogi asked the members of the House to raise the issue of development in their respective areas and suggest ways during their interaction to help the state in fulfilling sustainable development goals.