LUCKNOW, April 2 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Opposition parties, stating that the government and the people of Uttar Pradesh had already "cleared political garbage," which enabled governance reforms and better sanitation outcomes. He linked the state's improved cleanliness rankings to this political shift and the "double-engine government." He was addressing a gathering after flagging off 250 electric and CNG-run vehicles aimed at strengthening door-to-door waste collection in Lucknow, marking a major push toward the state's net-zero emission target. "We and the people of Uttar Pradesh have thrown out the politics of garbage. Earlier, both governance and thinking were filled with filth, leading to poor sanitation and the spread of diseases," he said. The chief minister asserted that Lucknow now ranks among the top three cleanest cities in the country, crediting sustained efforts over the past nine years. He highlighted that systematic waste collection, infrastructure upgrades and civic discipline played a key role in the transformation. Adityanath said the government is actively working toward a net-zero emission framework, with electric mobility at its core. He termed the deployment of EV-based waste collection vehicles a "crucial step" toward building a pollution-free urban system and achieving long-term sustainability goals. The move is expected to significantly strengthen solid waste management across all wards while reducing carbon emissions. The vehicles, deployed by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), will enhance daily household waste collection and improve efficiency in areas recently added to the city's limits. Officials said the induction will bridge operational gaps and ensure wider coverage. Targeting previous regimes, the chief minister said earlier governments failed to ensure proper electricity supply and relied on outdated halogen streetlights. He noted that the shift to LED lighting after 2017 reduced energy consumption, improved visibility and enhanced public safety, creating a uniform glow across urban centres. "Over 16 lakh LED streetlights have been installed across the state, making cities well-lit and safer," he said. Highlighting urban development, Adityanath said Lucknow has undergone rapid expansion in infrastructure, including road widening, drainage systems and improved connectivity. He added that Metro services have expanded significantly, with nearly one lakh daily commuters in the city. He also said Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a leader in Metro rail operations. He also noted that several cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Meerut, Ghaziabad and Noida, now have Metro connectivity. Referring to initiatives inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief minister said over 4.25 lakh households in the state have installed rooftop solar panels under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, generating around 1,500 MW of power.He cited Ayodhya as a model solar city and said similar solar expansion efforts are underway in Lucknow. Adityanath said improved waste management has helped control diseases such as dengue, malaria and encephalitis. He added that door-to- door garbage collection, once absent, is now a standard civic service....