BY KULDEEP SINGH YADAV
Samajwadi Party (SP) National President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav arrived in Saharanpur on a one-day visit, where he received a grand welcome from a large number of party leaders and workers at several places across the city. During his visit, Yadav first attended a programme at the residence of SP National General Secretary Chaudhary Rudrasen.
Addressing the media on the occasion, he launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, alleging that corruption had become a defining feature of its governance. Referring to the alleged irregularities concerning donations and funds associated with the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Yadav said that the people and the devotees of the country would not forgive what he described as the “loot of Ram’s money.” He alleged that those involved in the alleged wrongdoing had been given a clean chit and accused the BJP of hurting religious sentiments and faith.
Yadav further alleged that corruption was widespread across various departments, including health, education and public works. He claimed that fake medicines worth around Rs 400 crore had been detected in the health sector and alleged large-scale irregularities in government projects. Criticising the Smart City programme, Yadav said the BJP government had made promises of modern urban infrastructure but had failed to adequately address the concerns of farmers and young people.
He alleged that funds allocated for Smart Cities had been misused, while farmers continued to face difficulties in obtaining fertilisers and receiving remunerative prices for sugarcane. On employment, Yadav strongly criticised the Agniveer military recruitment scheme, saying that young people had been deprived of permanent employment opportunities in the armed forces. He said the Samajwadi Party wanted the Agniveer scheme to be scrapped and permanent recruitment restored.
He also promised better sports facilities, government employment opportunities and greater support for youth if the SP returned to power in the 2027 Assembly elections. Yadav also attacked the government over the condition of roads and expressways. Alleging that commissions of up to 60 per cent were being taken in construction works, he referred to potholes and damage on the Ganga Expressway and the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway. He questioned the explanation that design faults were responsible for damage, asking who should be held accountable if the designs were defective.
He also alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission, claiming that water tanks had collapsed at several places. According to Yadav, voters were closely observing the alleged corruption and would hold the government accountable in the Assembly elections. Addressing the issue of inflation, Yadav said prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas, edible oil, pulses, milk, fertilisers and seeds had increased, placing an additional burden on ordinary citizens. He also criticised the state of healthcare and emergency services, alleging that ambulance and Dial 100 services had deteriorated.
Yadav said that if the SP formed the government in 2027, a cancer centre would be established at Shaikh-ul-Hind Medical College in Saharanpur. He added that the party would prepare election promises for Saharanpur and other districts according to local needs. On the issue of the JPNIC, Yadav accused the BJP of “selling” institutions associated with socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan and alleged that the government was systematically disposing of public institutions. On reservation, Yadav asserted that “reservation was there, is there and will remain.” He accused the BJP of being opposed to reservation, democracy and the Constitution.
During the visit, Chaudhary Rudrasen, MP Harendra Malik, Kairana MP Iqra Hasan, Chaudhary Inder Sen, MLA Atul Pradhan, Shayan Masood and district president Chaudhary Abdul Wahid were among those present. Yadav later visited the residence of former Saharanpur MP Fazlur Rahman, where he met party leaders and workers, including MP Harendra Malik, MLA Ashu Malik, MLA Atul Pradhan and former MLA Manoj Chaudhary.
