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On Friday, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticized the Samajwadi Party and other opposition groups, asserting that their actions have instilled fear among women and led to business closures. He concluded his critique with a quote from the renowned poet Mirza Ghalib, stating, "Dust was on my face while I kept cleaning the mirror," implying that the opposition is blaming others for their significant failures.

While addressing the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the Chief Minister remarked that the previous government, led by the Samajwadi Party and other parties, had brought shame to the state. He claimed that his administration has lifted nearly 60 million people out of poverty over the past eight years. Adityanath emphasized that the state's negative image did not arise suddenly; rather, it was the specific actions of the Samajwadi Party that caused distress among women and prompted businesses to shut down.

In response to the opposition's speeches, he expressed his intention to address all their concerns. Quoting Ghalib again, he said, 'Throughout my life, I kept forgetting this. Dust was on my face while I kept cleaning the mirror.' Furthermore, the Chief Minister asserted that the welfare schemes based on NITI Aayog's data have successfully lifted 60 million people above the extreme poverty line in the last eight years.

He clarified that this achievement does not mean that beneficiaries will be deprived of other schemes, as they will continue to receive ration, healthcare, and various administrative services. The budget session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly commenced on Monday with a speech from Governor Anandiben Patel, during which opposition legislators protested. In her address, the Governor reiterated that 60 million individuals have been lifted out of poverty.

The budget session is scheduled to run from February 9 to February 20, with the state budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 set to be presented on February 11. Adityanath also noted that over 650 million people participated in the 2025 Kumbh Mela, and more than 210 million attended the Magh Mela held in Prayagraj in 2026. Prior to the session, Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Ravidas Mehrotra criticized the Uttar Pradesh government, urging the Governor to deliver a speech independent of the government's claims and warning that the party would protest if this did not occur.