Bhubaneswar: Samajwadi Party National President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav strongly criticised the BJP-led government, alleging that rising inflation, agrarian distress and administrative failures have pushed the country into crisis.
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar after the Vision India programme, Yadav said that prices of electricity, irrigation and fertilisers have increased sharply under the BJP regime, significantly raising the cost of farming. “While input costs are rising continuously, farmers are not getting fair prices for their produce. This government has completely failed and has collapsed on every front,” he said.
Highlighting concerns over healthcare, Yadav stated that ‘Healthy India’ should be a mission, not just a slogan. He stressed that treatment for the poor must be free. “During the Samajwadi Party government, no one was asked to show cards for treatment. Healthcare was free in government hospitals. If we talk about Viksit Bharat and Amrit Kaal, it is unacceptable that a patient is turned away due to lack of a card,” he added.
Yadav also accused the BJP government of demolishing ancient and mythological temples on an unprecedented scale. “No ruler in history has destroyed as many ancient temples as the BJP government,” he alleged, adding that the media remained silent due to its proximity to the ruling party. He claimed that even a temple being constructed by him in Saifai, Etawah, was facing obstructions from BJP leaders.
Referring to development works in Varanasi, Yadav said, “The BJP government has done immense damage to Kashi. Neither has it remained Kashi nor has it become Kyoto.” He further alleged that injustice and oppression are at their peak under the current regime and asserted that removing the BJP from power should be the collective goal.
Citing alleged corruption, Yadav accused the BJP of scams related to cough syrup, demonetisation and the cleaning of the Ganga. He also alleged attempts to manipulate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He said the Samajwadi Party would ask its legal team to approach the Supreme Court to determine whether the voter list prepared by the State Election Commission or the Election Commission of India is accurate.
Responding to a question on electoral systems, Yadav reiterated his opposition to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). “Even if I win all 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, I will still not support EVMs. I have said this in Parliament as well,” he said. He pointed out that developed countries such as Germany, Japan and the United States conduct elections through ballot papers.
Yadav concluded by asserting that the Samajwadi Party had defeated the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections and would continue to challenge and defeat the ruling party in the future.
