Lucknow – Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati addressed a press conference on Tuesday, voicing strong criticism of the central government’s recent decisions and its treatment of the poor and marginalized in the country.
Speaking from Lucknow, Mayawati called the recent hike in railway fares deeply anti-people and said it goes against the constitutional welfare principles India is built upon.
“At a time when inflation, poverty, unemployment, and falling incomes are making life unbearable for millions, this hike in railway fares reflects a commercial mindset rather than a compassionate one,” she said.
“Railway Travel Is Not Luxury, It’s a Lifeline”
Mayawati stressed that for poor and working-class Indians, railways are not a luxury or mode of tourism, but a painful necessity.
“This isn’t a joyride. People travel for survival, for work, to feed their families. The government should adopt a humanitarian approach, not a profit-oriented one,” she added.
She accused the government of exploiting the public under the guise of slogans like “Nation First,” much like it has with the GST burden.
95 Crore Citizens Dependent on Welfare Schemes
Highlighting the state of growing economic distress, Mayawati pointed out that over 64.3% of India’s population is now dependent on at least one government welfare scheme, up from 22% in 2016.
“Is it a matter of pride that so many people are forced to depend on welfare? Or a sign of worsening conditions?” she asked, citing ILO data that the government allegedly uses to claim success.
Pollution Control Laws Hurting the Poor
Mayawati also targeted both central and Delhi governments for what she called “harsh and poorly thought-out pollution control measures”, which she claimed were disproportionately affecting the urban poor and working classes.
She stressed the need for balanced environmental regulation that doesn’t worsen the lives of those struggling to make a living in the transport and small business sectors.
Displacement of Migrant Workers in Delhi
Coming down heavily on the evictions of slum dwellers and migrants in Delhi — especially those from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal — Mayawati termed the action “inhumane and anti-poor”.
“The government cites court orders for these demolitions, but the court never banned rehabilitation or alternative arrangements for the displaced. Uprooting people without offering them solutions is nothing short of cruelty,” she said.
Electricity Crisis and Privatization Woes
Mayawati criticized the electricity shortages across multiple states, including Delhi and UP, saying that the privatization of power services has failed to deliver on its promises to consumers and businesses.
“Small industries and traders are being hit hard. If the government can’t ensure reliable electricity, what kind of development is it talking about?”
A Call for Policy Correction
In her concluding remarks, Mayawati urged both the central and state governments to rethink their economic and social policies.
“As prices of daily essentials keep rising and incomes remain low, people’s hope for ‘acche din’ is fading fast,” she said. “This is a moment for serious introspection and policy correction.”
