Azamgarh got new identity under BJP govt: Adityanath

Azamgarh (UP), Jun 20 (PTI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said people of Uttar Pradesh were earlier scared of taking the name of Azamgarh or identifying with the place but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has become the fortress of "indomitable courage".

Azamgarh had to earlier beg for its identity but now the situation has changed, he said while speaking at the inauguration of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway.

"Uttar Pradesh is making its identity from a 'BIMARU' state to an expressway state. Remember what the conditions were eight years ago. The youth of UP and the residents of the state would suffer from an identity crisis. People used to feel scared to take the name of Azamgarh and UP," he said.

"Azamgarh has given two chief ministers and this Azamgarh had to had to beg for identity But, today in a span of eight years under the guidance of PM Modi, now Azamgarh does not have to beg for identity," Adityanath said.

He was apparently referring to former chief ministers Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav, who contested from the Azamgarh seat.

"Azamgarh has now become the fortress of indomitable courage. Now, it has integrated (itself) with the mainstream of development," he said.

The 91.352 km-long Gorakhpur link expressway has been built at a cost of Rs 7,283 crore.

Prior to the inauguration of the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, Adityanath said on X, "The inauguration of the 91.35 km long Gorakhpur Link Expressway is a historic moment for eastern Uttar Pradesh." "Under the able leadership of respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, Uttar Pradesh is now taking a new flight of development, confidence and glory with the largest expressway network in the country," Adityanath said.

He added, "The Gorakhpur Link Expressway, connecting Gorakhpur to several districts, including Azamgarh, will pave new avenues for industrial progress, tourism development and investment in eastern Uttar Pradesh." PTI NAV DV DV