BY KULDEEP SINGH YADAV
The political tone at the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Lucknow turned sharply confrontational as party president Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of weakening democratic institutions, mishandling public assets and failing to address the problems facing ordinary people in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking to party leaders and workers, the former chief minister also laid out his political message for the 2027 Assembly elections, placing farmers, youth, workers and socially disadvantaged communities at the centre of the Samajwadi Party’s campaign.
Yadav alleged that the BJP was “an enemy of democracy” and was attempting to undermine the democratic system. He accused the party of using political attacks and what he described as divisive politics to weaken its opponents, particularly the Samajwadi Party and the PDA coalition of social groups. He also questioned the BJP government’s handling of projects associated with the previous Samajwadi Party administration. Referring to the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre, he asked why a building associated with socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan had been put up for sale.
He further alleged that several public assets and projects developed during the Samajwadi Party government, including the Plasio Mall, Kisan Bazaar and the cow milk plant in Kannauj, had subsequently been sold or neglected. Yadav accused the state government of widespread corruption and alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects, including highways and expressways. He also criticised the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, claiming that water tanks were repeatedly developing problems.
He said corruption had affected several departments and alleged that healthcare services had deteriorated, leaving poor patients struggling to obtain treatment. At the meeting, Yadav also spoke about political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He told party workers to remain connected with the public and maintain courtesy in both language and conduct. He claimed that people were ready for a change in government and that the BJP was concerned about the growing political relevance of the Samajwadi Party and PDA.
Yadav also criticised the BJP over inflation and policies affecting farmers, workers and young people. He alleged that higher prices had placed additional pressure on household budgets and raised concerns over ethanol blending in petrol, claiming that it had caused damage to vehicle engines. Alongside the political address, the meeting had a literary and religious dimension. Ayodhya-based Mahant Ramdas Ji Maharaj presented Yadav with Seeing Equally, edited by Anantanand, Ram Bachan and Sunita Viswanath.
The book includes Mahant Ramdas Ji’s essay, “The Hinduism of Ram,” in which he argues for equality among people regardless of religion or caste. Yadav also released young writer Bharat K. Rajbhar’s book PDA Revolution: New India’s Social Consciousness and Democratic Discourse. Rajbhar describes PDA not as a temporary political slogan but as an expression of collective awareness against long-standing social inequalities. The meeting also reflected the political symbolism surrounding the 2027 election, with Yadav presenting farmers, workers, youth and socially disadvantaged groups as central to the Samajwadi Party’s electoral strategy.
