In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Our sole mission & motive is development. When UP develops, India develops. We want to serve UP’s youth & create opportunities for them.”
Elaborate arrangements were made for the BJP’s massive show of strength to celebrate its landslide win in the state. Around 100 people shared the massive stage at Lucknow’s 96-acre Smriti Upwan, where the oath ceremony was held. Almost one lakh people attended the ceremony.
Among the cabinet ministers who took oath are Swami Prasad Maurya, Satish Mahana, Rajesh Agarwal, Ashutosh Tandon, Chetan Chauhan, Sidharth Nath Singh and Rita Bahuguna Joshi. Former cricketer Mohsin Raza is the Muslim face of the cabinet.
After the oath ceremony, Yogi Adityanath is expected to hold a cabinet meeting and address the press. Senior party leaders have said the priority for the new government will be placing a ban on slaughterhouses.
Accused of being a polarising leader by political rivals, Yogi Adityanath sought to make clear on Saturday evening that as chief minister, his focus will be to deliver on PM Modi’s development agenda and ensure good governance in Uttar Pradesh.
“I will take UP forward with the PM’s motto of sabka saath sabka vikas,” said Mr Adityanath said soon after it was announced that he would be chief minister.