By Anwar Alam
The Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, has been a strong advocate for the welfare of milk farmers in Uttar Pradesh, particularly concerning the restart of the cow milk plant in Kannauj. Over time, the SP has consistently raised its voice for the rights and needs of these farmers, shining a spotlight on their struggles and the dire state of the dairy sector in the region. This unwavering stance has fueled public discontent, and it appears that the increasing pressure has forced the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to address the issue, albeit belatedly.
Akhilesh Yadav has been vocal in his criticism of the BJP, especially regarding the lack of attention paid to the problems faced by milk farmers. He accuses the BJP of being more concerned with political maneuvers than with tangible progress, asserting that the ruling party “does not know anything except politics.” According to Yadav, the BJP has not only failed to create new opportunities for farmers and dairy workers but has also been unable to sustain the initiatives that were already in place, such as the cow milk plant in Kannauj.
The closure of the milk plant has not only caused financial strain for the milk farmers who depend on it for their livelihood but has also led to the displacement of many workers. As public frustration grows, the demands for the reopening of the plant have intensified. Akhilesh Yadav argues that this pressure from the people, along with the SP’s continued advocacy, has compelled the BJP to finally remember the cows, the milk farmers, and the employees affected by the plant’s closure.
Yadav’s critique of the BJP does not stop at the dairy sector. In another pointed tweet, he draws attention to the infrastructural issues plaguing Uttar Pradesh, particularly the city of Gorakhpur. Using a sarcastic tone, he mocks the BJP’s promises by comparing Gorakhpur to Venice, the Italian city known for its canals. According to Yadav, Gorakhpur has turned into a city of canals not due to development but because of severe waterlogging, which he attributes to corruption and mismanagement in the BJP-led administration. He notes that drainage systems have been obstructed by “the waste of corruption,” leading to water accumulation that disrupts daily life.
Yadav’s comments also extend to a broader criticism of the BJP’s governance across Uttar Pradesh. He points out that if Gorakhpur, a prominent city and the home turf of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is facing such infrastructural neglect, the condition of other, less prominent areas of the state must be even worse. The message is clear: the BJP, in Yadav’s view, has failed to deliver on its promises of development and progress.
This narrative resonates with the public, particularly those who feel left behind by the government’s policies. The SP’s advocacy for milk farmers and its broader critique of the BJP’s governance taps into growing discontent in Uttar Pradesh. As the pressure mounts, the SP is positioning itself as a champion of the people, particularly the working class and farmers, while portraying the BJP as a party that is out of touch with the real needs of the state. The struggle over the Kannauj cow milk plant is emblematic of a larger battle for the direction of Uttar Pradesh’s future. With elections looming, the SP’s focus on such issues could prove to be a significant factor in shaping public opinion and electoral outcomes.
