Lucknow : Samajwadi Party (SP) National President and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP government, accusing it of making a mockery of democracy and manipulating elections to stay in power. Addressing a press conference at the party’s state headquarters in Lucknow, Yadav alleged large-scale irregularities in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and warned party workers to stay vigilant in upcoming polls.
“BJP treats election rigging as its birthright. They won the 2022 Assembly elections by stealing votes. We submitted a list of 18,000 voters whose names were mysteriously removed from the rolls, but the Election Commission has done nothing so far,” Yadav said. Citing a bizarre case, he alleged that in Ayodhya, an elderly man managed to cast votes six times. “Widespread rigging was also exposed in Milkipur, Moradabad, Kundarki, and Mirapur,” he added.
BJP’s Priorities Misplaced, Says Yadav
Criticizing the government’s focus, Yadav said, “For BJP, schools are not a priority. Children reached school only to find the gates locked. Polling booths are being set up at inconvenient locations to discourage voters.” He added that ministers and officials are at odds with each other, reflecting internal strife and a dysfunctional administration.
On the recent tree plantation campaign led by the BJP government, Yadav dismissed it as another hollow “event”. “They claim to have planted 200 crore trees, but where are they? Even one lakh twenty-four thousand trees need 1,000 acres. BJP only makes claims; implementation is poor,” he said. He contrasted this with SP’s past efforts, citing the planting of Parijat and Banyan trees and fruit-bearing saplings during his tenure, especially along the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
‘Gujarat Model is a Sham’
Yadav didn’t spare the much-touted Gujarat Model either, calling it “a fraud.” He pointed out collapsing infrastructure, irregular recruitment practices, and the plight of contractual workers as examples. “In the BJP government, those entrusted with responsibilities are failing at their jobs,” he remarked.
Looking ahead to 2027, Yadav urged voters to show BJP the door and make way for a Samajwadi government that promises inclusive growth. “With SP back in power, we will bring prosperity to farmers and youth, and ensure every citizen lives a life of dignity,” he assured.
Voter Suppression and Bureaucratic Apathy
During the press conference, Rakesh Yadav from Siddharthnagar shared how his family’s names were removed from the voter list in the previous election. Despite multiple appeals to the Election Commission and the District Magistrate, no action was taken until the Samajwadi Party office intervened, leading to an FIR. Only recently was his name restored online.
Call to Revive ‘Yash Bharti’ Honour
Renowned poet and former MP Uday Pratap Singh also addressed the media, expressing disappointment over the BJP government’s discontinuation of the Yash Bharti awards—instituted by the late Mulayam Singh Yadav to honour contributions in literature, arts, sports, and social service. “Akhilesh ji not only continued the tradition but also introduced pensions for awardees,” Singh said.
Promising to revive the tradition, Akhilesh Yadav declared, “When SP returns to power, we will honour the talent of Uttar Pradesh. Yash Bharti will be reinstated, along with pensions for the recipients.”
Senior Leaders in Attendance
The press conference was attended by several prominent SP leaders including former Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary, ex-cabinet minister Rajendra Chaudhary, SP State President Shyam Lal Pal, MPs Ramashankar Rajbhar and Ramsagar Akela, Rajendra Kumar, Pawan Pandey, Dr. Rajpal Kashyap, Sudip Sen, and Professor Sudhir Panwar.
The event marked a significant moment as SP gears up for an aggressive campaign leading to the 2027 Assembly elections, positioning itself as the alternative to BJP’s “misrule.”
