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Last Updated:January 25, 2025, 18:02 IST

In an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said no one can reach the peak of prosperity through inaction

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. (News18)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday threw his weight behind implementing “performance-based” welfare schemes instead of distributing freebies to voters, saying the move would ensure “people have faith in their own efforts”.

In an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Adityanath advocated for a “long-term vision” when asked about the ‘revdi culture’ — a term popularised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — and how freebies can slow down a state’s growth.

“Look, I believe that we have to work with a long-term vision. This has to be performance-based. There is nothing wrong in implementing welfare schemes, but if this is performance-based, then people will have faith in their own efforts. No one can reach the peak of prosperity through inaction. Bear in mind, the crisis that the world is facing today, in such a time, during a pandemic like coronavirus, India stands alone in the world as an economy. The world is faltering. The reason is that India has prioritised action and has given the message of action. We will have to keep up that hard work; otherwise, it does not take long to falter.”

The UP chief minister also sought to drive a distinction between the welfare schemes of the central government versus parties doling out freebies, especially during election time.

“I am saying those are welfare schemes in which what is given depends on the performance of a person. It is performance-based. And I think that will be beneficial for everyone. It will benefit the public as well as the country.”

Earlier, PM Modi had cautioned against freebies, calling it a “danger” to the country’s development. “Today in our country, attempts are being made to collect votes by distributing free revdis. This revdi culture is very dangerous for the development of the country. People of the country, especially the youth, need to be careful of this revdi culture. People of revdi culture will not build expressways, airports or defence corridors for you. People of revdi culture feel that by distributing free revdis to people, they can buy them. Together we need to defeat this thinking. Revdi culture needs to be removed from the country’s politics,” he had said.

Location :

Prayagraj, India