SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Launches Scathing Attack on BJP in Jhansi Address
In a fiery speech delivered in Jhansi on Saturday, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a multi-pronged assault on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), targeting its stance on Sanatan Dharm and the deteriorating law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. Yadav asserted that the BJP, which ascended to power through the state, will also meet its political demise from here, setting a defiant tone for the opposition.
Hypocrisy on Sanatan Dharm and Alleged Police Brutality
Akhilesh Yadav questioned the BJP's commitment to Sanatan Dharm, highlighting a specific incident involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand. He alleged that despite the party's vocal support for the faith, authorities prevented the seer from taking his palanquin to the Sangam on Mauni Amavasya, citing crowd control measures.
"His disciples were severely thrashed by police personnel in civilian clothes, and he was barred from taking the holy dip," Yadav stated emphatically. He further criticized Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for framing the issue as a mere law-and-order situation, accusing him of tactical evasion while allegedly disregarding laws himself.
Deteriorating Law and Order and Corruption Allegations
The SP chief painted a grim picture of Uttar Pradesh's security landscape, claiming it is rapidly worsening. He made a sensational allegation that the administration assisted the scrap mafia in escaping from Banda jail and fleeing the country via Nepal, pointing to systemic failures.
Raising serious corruption charges, Yadav targeted a major infrastructure project: the 90-kilometer Gorakhpur Link Road, constructed with a budget of Rs 7,000 crore. He insinuated financial irregularities, noting that even the road contractor arrives in a private plane, suggesting extravagant spending and potential mismanagement of public funds.
Political Jabs and Clarifications on Party Dynamics
Yadav did not miss the opportunity to take a dig at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's proposed visit to Japan. "I was told that he is going to Japan to see their vegetation, leaving behind the rich vegetation of our own country," he remarked sarcastically, alluding to the frequent confiscation of ganja (marijuana) in the region as an ironic contrast.
When queried about the induction of UP Congress heavyweight Nasimuddin Siddiqui and whether it served as a replacement for SP veteran Azam Khan, Yadav firmly dismissed the notion. He asserted that no one can replace Azam Khan, underscoring the veteran leader's irreplaceable role within the party and reaffirming internal unity.
Akhilesh Yadav was in Jhansi to attend family functions of party workers and inspect the site for the proposed office of PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak), blending political critique with grassroots engagement. His speech amplifies ongoing tensions in Uttar Pradesh politics, focusing on religious integrity, governance failures, and corruption as key battlegrounds ahead of future elections.
