Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, August 14, 2025 – In a surprising moment during the 24-hour ‘Vision 2047’ debate in the Uttar Pradesh State Assembly, Samajwadi Party MLA Pooja Pal praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his ‘zero tolerance against crime’ policy. The debate, held on Wednesday, focused on the state’s plans for growth by 2047, covering education, health, jobs, and safety. Pooja Pal’s words, coming from an opposition leader, caught everyone’s attention and sparked both praise and debate.
Pooja Pal, who represents the Chail constituency in Kaushambi district, spoke about her personal experience with crime in Uttar Pradesh. She said, “Everyone knows who murdered my husband. The Chief Minister listened to me when no one else did. I want to thank the honourable CM for providing justice to me. I want to thank the CM for his zero tolerance policy which ensured the end of mafia like Atiq Ahmed.” Her emotional words referred to the 2005 murder of her husband, Raju Pal, a former BSP MLA, by gangster Atiq Ahmed. She credited Yogi’s strict policies for bringing justice to her and others by cracking down on criminals. “The state used to feel unsafe, especially for women. Now, criminals know the law will catch them,” she added.
The Vision 2047 debate was a marathon session that ran from Wednesday morning to late night. Lawmakers discussed big goals, like better schools, more hospitals, and jobs for young people. Safety was a key topic, as progress depends on people feeling secure.
Other Samajwadi Party leaders focused on gaps in healthcare and unemployment, but Pooja Pal’s praise stood out. Yogi government has continuously pushed for tough laws and fast police action, that has lowered crime rates in Uttar Pradesh. Critics, however, say these policies can sometimes be too harsh.
