Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid rich tributes to former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Governor Kalyan Singh on his 94th birth anniversary, remembering him as a leader who truly lived up to his name by dedicating his life to the “kalyan” (welfare) of Uttar Pradesh.
Offering floral tributes at Kalyan Singh’s portrait, the Chief Minister said that “Babu Ji” consistently worked to ensure the welfare of the state and its people, leaving behind a legacy rooted in good governance, development and nationalist ideology.
Recalling his contributions, CM Yogi said Kalyan Singh was the first Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. When he assumed office in 1991, the state was grappling with disorder, lawlessness, criminal activities and rising terrorism. Villages, the poor, farmers, youth and women were deprived of the benefits of government schemes, while society was yearning to break free from centuries-old shackles of subjugation.
The Chief Minister noted that within a few months of Kalyan Singh taking charge, people began to regain confidence that Uttar Pradesh was moving towards good governance and choosing new paths of development. However, conspiracies were hatched to destabilise his government and spread disorder, he added.
CM Yogi said Kalyan Singh’s tenure will always be remembered for strengthening good governance, development and the nationalist mission in the state. Referring to the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, he said that when the movement reached a decisive phase, Kalyan Singh did not hesitate to sacrifice power while respecting the sentiments of Ram devotees and saints. Though his government fell, he stood firmly by his resolve and fulfilled his duty towards Lord Ram with unwavering commitment.
Highlighting his ideological roots, the Chief Minister said Kalyan Singh was born into a farmer’s family and learned the lessons of nationalism from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He embraced nationalism as a lifelong mantra and remained devoted to that mission throughout his public life. His services as a legislator, minister, Member of Parliament, Chief Minister and Governor will always be remembered by the nation, CM Yogi said.
The event was attended by Kalyan Singh’s son and former MP Rajveer Singh, former BJP Uttar Pradesh president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, MPs Satish Gautam and Mukesh Rajput, Cabinet Minister Dr Sanjay Nishad, Minister of State Danish Azad Ansari, and Kalyan Singh’s grandson and Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh, along with several other dignitaries and party leaders.
