BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Samajwadi Party’s National President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has pledged to restore Ayodhya’s dignity, revive its traditional economy and transform the holy city into the “global capital of Sanatan pilgrimage”, while launching a sharp attack on the BJP government over alleged corruption, environmental mismanagement and economic distress.
Speaking on his party’s vision for Ayodhya, Yadav said his government would work to rebuild public confidence through transparent temple administration and world-class infrastructure. He alleged that controversies surrounding the alleged theft of temple offerings had hurt the sentiments of devotees and contributed to a decline in visitors, affecting the livelihoods of local people. He promised measures to strengthen religious tourism and ensure that the economic benefits reach Ayodhya’s residents.
Yadav also emphasised the need to protect the dignity of economically weaker sections, particularly women and children. He criticised incidents of alleged mistreatment of poor people and said an SP government would introduce nutritional support through the public distribution system, including oil and ghee, to address dietary needs.
Highlighting Ayodhya’s historical and cultural traditions, he promised to promote traditional boating on the Saryu, ensuring that local boatmen benefit from tourism while reviving the symbolic relationship between Lord Ram and Nishadraj. He accused the BJP of undermining this historical association and alleged that its politics was uncomfortable with representations of social harmony between Lord Ram and marginalised communities.
On land and development-related issues, the SP chief promised an investigation into alleged irregularities in land transactions and circle-rate assessments in Ayodhya. He accused outside contractors, political leaders and corrupt officials of exploiting the city’s development opportunities at the expense of local residents. He said those found responsible would face accountability and that the interests of local communities would be protected.
Yadav also called for legal action against individuals who insult religious figures, deities and revered personalities of any faith, arguing that religious harmony must be protected through equal application of the law.
Turning his attention to national and state governance, Yadav accused the BJP government of concealing the severity of air pollution through misleading statistics. He said children, elderly citizens and people suffering from illnesses were bearing the consequences of deteriorating air quality. He alleged that the government was more concerned with projecting favourable figures than addressing the public health crisis.
He further criticised the BJP over inflation, unemployment, corruption and environmental challenges, describing its claims of development under the double-engine government as misleading.
The SP president also levelled serious allegations regarding the distribution of contracts for Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) link expressway projects. He claimed that a handful of companies were benefiting from an alleged arrangement involving influential contractors and government officials, with tenders being distributed among selected players rather than awarded through genuine competition.
Using sharp political language, Yadav described the tendering process as a staged contest in which companies appeared to compete publicly while allegedly cooperating behind the scenes. He accused the government of turning infrastructure development into an avenue for private enrichment rather than public welfare.
“BJP leaders build their own fortunes, not expressways,” was the essence of his criticism, as he alleged that corruption had become the driving force behind government construction projects.
Yadav’s remarks bring together two major political themes: the cultural and economic future of Ayodhya and allegations of financial irregularities in Uttar Pradesh’s infrastructure development. By promising transparent administration, protection of local livelihoods and accountability in public spending, the SP chief is seeking to present an alternative development agenda while challenging the BJP government’s claims of good governance.
