Lucknow : In a strongly-worded press conference at the Samajwadi Party (SP) state headquarters in Lucknow, party president and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched a blistering attack on the ruling BJP government, accusing it of pushing a divisive agenda, systematically targeting minorities, and failing on key governance fronts such as education, health, infrastructure, and employment.
“The BJP is walking in the footsteps of the British, implementing their divide and rule policy. Madrasas are being shut, land records scrutinized, and bulldozers are targeting minority institutions. Christians too are being eyed. The BJP wants to eliminate all minority institutions,” said Yadav.
“Trillion-Dollar Economy, Yet Schools Are Shutting”
Slamming the BJP’s claim of turning India into a trillion-dollar economy, Akhilesh questioned the government’s priorities.
“If we’re truly the world’s third-largest economy, why are two lakh teacher posts vacant in UP? Why are schools shutting down, denying the poor and girls access to education?” he asked.
He alleged that the benefits of this so-called booming economy were “diverted to loot highways” rather than being spent on education, healthcare, or welfare.
Gorakhpur Link Expressway: “Not Even an Expressway”
Referring to the recently inaugurated Gorakhpur Link Expressway, Yadav said,
“It’s not even an expressway. It’s a four-lane road dressed up with a hefty ₹7,000 crore price tag. The Chief Minister doesn’t even know the difference between an expressway and a four-lane road.”
Yadav challenged the government to clarify whether the expressway met Indian Road Congress standards, and asked whether officials who allegedly compromised on specifications would face action.
“Government in Disarray: Ministers vs Officers”
The SP chief claimed that the state government is in complete administrative chaos.
“There’s infighting across departments. A Deputy CM has officially complained that he wasn’t shown the transfer list. CMO-DM battles are erupting across districts. Every department has a ‘transfer rate’,” he alleged.
He specifically called out the Urban Development Department for heavy corruption and poor infrastructure in “Smart Cities”, questioning where the allocated budgets had disappeared.
“Media Advisor Involved in Deals, D Company Named”
In a sensational charge, Akhilesh accused the Chief Minister’s media advisor—who he claims spread fake news against him—of being involved in shady dealings.
“His name has surfaced in connection with money transactions involving the D Company. No wonder the CM keeps talking about D Company,” he said.
On the Purvanchal Expressway: “A Vision Betrayed”
Yadav revisited the origins of the Purvanchal Expressway, claiming it was conceptualized and tendered by the SP government.
“It was Netaji’s Lok Sabha constituency Azamgarh that inspired the project. We completed land acquisition and initiated tenders. But once BJP came to power, they canceled our tenders, lowered technical standards, and handed it to their own contractors.”
He added that the BJP never extended the expressway beyond Ghazipur and failed to progress Lucknow Metro beyond the initial SP-built route.
“BJP Against PDA, Reservation”
Yadav declared the BJP as anti-reservation and anti-PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak – Backwards, Dalits, and Minorities).
“They don’t follow reservation norms in recruitments. Reservation came after a long struggle. We must protect it and Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution. PDA is not just a slogan—it’s our emotional bond,” he said.
“Electricity, Health, Education – All Ruined”
He concluded by accusing the government of ruining public services.
“They haven’t increased power generation, hence the push for privatization of electricity. Schools are closing. Hospitals are broken. Infrastructure is crumbling. This is not governance, this is disaster,” he said.
The Road Ahead
Akhilesh Yadav declared that the Samajwadi Party is poised to return to power, and promised to rectify BJP’s failures—be it by extending the Purvanchal Expressway, improving public services, safeguarding minority institutions, or reviving the education system.
“The people of Uttar Pradesh have understood the BJP’s real face. This time, they will show them the exit door.”
