UP Assembly Budget Session Descends Into Chaos Over OBC Benefit Allegations
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly witnessed unprecedented turmoil during the ongoing state Budget session when Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad launched a scathing attack against the opposition Samajwadi Party. The minister made explosive allegations that SP functionaries had systematically cornered a majority share of benefits specifically designated for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), labeling them as "baimaan" (cheats) in his fiery speech.
Community References Spark Immediate Backlash
Although Minister Nishad refrained from directly naming any particular community during his remarks, political observers and legislators widely interpreted his comments as targeting the Yadav community, which has historically formed the bedrock of Samajwadi Party's support base across Uttar Pradesh. This perceived insinuation triggered immediate and vehement protests from SP legislators who began shouting slogans against the minister and disrupting parliamentary proceedings.
The situation escalated dramatically as multiple opposition members stormed into the Well of the House and advanced toward Minister Nishad in a show of protest. This confrontation led to a complete breakdown of legislative decorum and caused significant disruption to the day's scheduled business.
Historical Grievances and Counter-Allegations Surface
Adding further fuel to the already volatile situation, Minister Nishad turned his attention to Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, accusing him of using the derogatory term 'chamar' while referring to the Nishad community during a previous day's debate. The minister issued a stern ultimatum demanding an immediate apology from Pandey, threatening to file a formal police complaint and stage a protest dharna if his demands remained unmet.
Defending his community's historical contributions, Nishad emphasized that the Nishads had played a pivotal role in India's freedom struggle against British colonial rule. He highlighted how the British administration had unjustly labeled the Nishad community as a "criminal caste" and pointedly questioned whether the Yadav community had ever faced similar discriminatory treatment throughout history.
Speaker's Interventions Fail to Calm Tempers
Despite repeated attempts by Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana to restore order and redirect discussions back to the state Budget, Minister Nishad remained steadfast in his position and continued to press his allegations against the opposition. The treasury benches rallied behind their colleague, countering the SP's protests by accusing the opposition party of hypocrisy regarding its own PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) narrative.
Government legislators alleged that the Samajwadi Party was attempting to suppress the voice of a leader emerging from a Most Backward Class (MBC) background, thereby exposing contradictions in their professed commitment to backward communities. The heated exchanges between treasury and opposition benches brought legislative business to a standstill for a considerable duration, with both sides trading sharp accusations before normalcy could gradually be restored through diplomatic interventions.
