Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party’s journey from winningjust two Lok Sabha seats in 1984 to becoming the world’s largest political party was driven by its commitment to values, ideals and nation-first politics.Addressing the inaugural session of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Training Campaign organised by BJP’s Gorakhpur city unit, Yogi said the party’s growth was not merely a story of electoral success but of strengthening national security, good governance, prosperity and social harmony.“The BJP’s foundation rests on the ideals of its founders. For every party worker, values and principles remain supreme,” he said, recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee‘s observation that politics without values was a “death trap”.Highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi govt, the chief minister said India had emerged stronger on both internal and external security fronts. He cited surgical strikes, the abrogation of Article 370, the decline of left-wing extremism and improved conditions in the Northeast as examples of decisive governance.Yogi said development could flourish only in a secure environment, pointing to rapid expansion of highways, expressways, airports, metro systems, inland waterways and logistics infrastructure across the country.Referring to the welfare initiatives of the Centre, he said schemes such as PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission and free ration distribution had transformed the lives of millions. He added tha nearly 25 crore people have risen above poverty due to sustained welfare interventions.The chief minister also traced the ideological evolution of the BJP from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, paying tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Deendayal Upadhyaya. He said Mookerjee’s sacrifice inspired generations, while Upadhyaya’s philosophy of “Antyodaya” continues to guide policymaking focused on the last person in society.
