'Underwhelming LS performance': Shun VIP culture, reach out to people, Yogi Adityanath tells ministers

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday asked all UP ministers to renounce VIP culture and reach out to the people in all possible ways.
Chairing a meeting with cabinet and state ministers days after the party's underwhelming performance in the Lok Sabha elections, Yogi underlined the need to establish coordination with people on local issues and address the problems with sensitivity.
Yogi's assertion marked a sense of urgency within the BJP even as it battles an apparent "anti-incumbency" reportedly stoked by an assertive opposition.
NDA's tally in the state slumped from 64 to 36, even as the SP-Congress alliance cornered 43 seats. Yogi, nevertheless, congratulated ministers Jitin Prasada and Anup Valmiki for getting elected.
The CM said that as the model code of conduct is no longer in place, the state govt now needs to resume its development initiatives and other key projects.
He asked the ministers to remain in field and apprise the chief minister's office in case of any need. "The state govt is receiving all possible support from the Centre to speed up development. The govt needs to step up the process further," he said.
Yogi said the ministers should be more active on social media and inform people about the development initiatives taken by the govt.
He said that the ministers should scrutinize and review the work done by their departments on a regular basis. Yogi said the target of turning the state into a USD 1 trillion economy should be achieved in the next few years. He said that the ministers should contribute to hosting programmes like tree plantation, 'school chalo' and drives to combat communicable disease.
Yogi asked the ministers to assess the spending of the state budget for the first quarter which is expected to come to an end by the end of this month.
He said that state ministers should coordinate with Union ministers to expedite implementation of programmes, which at times require central quota.