Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Budget session, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called on the opposition to cooperate in ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted session that will continue until March 5.
CM Yogi emphasized that the smooth running of the session is not only the government’s responsibility but also the opposition’s. He remarked, “The standards set by the double-engine BJP government over the past eight years for the development of Uttar Pradesh are unmatched. These achievements are evident in both the Governor’s speech and discussions in the House. Naturally, the opposition, feeling frustrated and disappointed, often seeks to avoid meaningful debates and obstruct the proceedings. However, if the opposition cooperates in advancing constructive discussions, this can be a very productive session.”
He added that it is rare in the state’s history to have such a long duration for a legislative session.
Yogi Adityanath further stated, “The session will begin with the Governor’s speech, and the state budget for the upcoming year will be passed during this time. Various issues related to the welfare and development of the people will also be discussed. Tomorrow, discussions on the Governor’s speech will begin, and on February 20, the Uttar Pradesh state budget for 2025-26 will be presented. The session will run until March 5.”
On the opening day of the Budget session, Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders staged a protest outside the assembly, condemning the government’s handling of the Mahakumbh stampede, in which many lives were lost. SP leader Ashutosh Sinha criticized the government for not releasing the number of casualties, despite regularly publishing the number of devotees who had bathed. He held up the ‘ashes’ of the government’s ethics to symbolize what he described as the loss of integrity.
Security arrangements have been tightened around the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly ahead of the Budget session. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Central Lucknow, Manisha Singh, said, “We have made full security arrangements in the outer cordon and divided the areas around the assembly into six sectors, with gazetted officers and plainclothes civil police in each sector. CCTV cameras have been installed, and the situation is being monitored closely. QRT teams are also on standby.”
Singh further assured that all security personnel are prepared to act swiftly in case of any suspicious activity or individuals and are instructed to report immediately to higher authorities.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar, along with other officials, reviewed security arrangements at the assembly and issued necessary guidelines in preparation for the Budget session.
