Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party over the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC), alleging that the project had become a symbol of corruption under the previous government.
Addressing a gathering after unveiling a grand equestrian statue of freedom fighter Veerangana Avanti Bai Lodhi in Lucknow, Adityanath said the JPNIC project was originally estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore but remained incomplete despite an expenditure of Rs 864 crore.
“The Rs 864 crore spent on JPNIC belongs to the people of Uttar Pradesh, not to any Saifai syndicate. No political party can be allowed to loot public money,” he said.
The Chief Minister alleged that the project, conceived in the name of Jayaprakash Narayan, who dedicated his life to democracy, was turned into a private political establishment during the Samajwadi Party government. He said the government had dissolved the committee managing the centre and taken control of it. JPNIC will now be operated under the guidance of the Lucknow Development Authority, with efforts also being made to recover money spent from the state exchequer, he said.
Adityanath also accused the Samajwadi Party of pursuing caste-based politics and said its tenure was associated with riots, curfews, encroachment and corruption. He alleged that the previous government failed to adequately respect prominent national figures.
Highlighting his government’s women-centric initiatives, the Chief Minister said Mission Shakti was aimed at ensuring women’s safety, dignity, self-respect and economic independence. He said the government was working to expand opportunities for women in every sphere.
Adityanath said three women battalions of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) had been formed in the names of Veeranganas Uda Devi, Jhalkari Bai and Avanti Bai Lodhi. The battalions are being developed in Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Badaun, he said.
He also announced that 50,000 final-year female undergraduate students would be provided scooters in the name of Rani Lakshmibai. The Chief Minister further said women above 60 years of age would receive free travel facilities on Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses.
Speaking about Avanti Bai Lodhi, Adityanath said her leadership during the 1857 uprising represented the courage and determination of Indian women. He said her equestrian statue in Lucknow would serve as a symbol of women’s valour, dignity and patriotism and inspire future generations.
The Chief Minister also recalled the contributions of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, saying several institutions and memorial initiatives had been undertaken to honour prominent personalities associated with the state and the freedom movement.
He appealed to members of the Lodh community to remain united and carry forward the ideals of national heroes and social reformers. Adityanath said collective efforts were needed to ensure that respect for personalities such as Avanti Bai Lodhi, martyr Gulab Singh Lodhi and Kalyan Singh remained alive among future generations.
Union Minister B.L. Verma, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Cabinet Minister Dharampal Singh, Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent Charge) Sandeep Singh, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharakwal, BJP leaders, representatives of the Lodh Mahasabha, legislators and a large number of community members attended the event.
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