Akhilesh Yadav addresses press conference
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav addressed a press conference on Friday, at the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Lucknow. During the event, on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, the SP Chief paid tribute to Lord Buddha and spoke of how his message has the power to bring about change in the world. In the press conference, Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the government and highlighted several key issues on his political agenda.
Kushinagar to Gain International Recognition
Akhilesh Yadav stated that once the SP forms the government, Kushinagar will attain international recognition. He remarked that the BJP conducts inaugurations merely "for the sake of selling" (political posturing), whereas an SP government would work for the welfare of the public. Specifically mentioning the Kushinagar Airport, he affirmed that the SP would undertake the task of developing it further to connect it with the rest of the world. Furthermore, he gave assurances that upon coming to power, new schemes would be introduced for the benefit of the Buddhist community and the backward classes.
Women's Reservation and an Attack on the BJP
The SP Chief asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has no intention of passing the Women's Reservation Bill. He argued that the BJP's true intentions have been exposed through the issue of the Women's Bill. Akhilesh Yadav clarified that the BJP merely seeks to turn women into a political slogan, whereas the SP is committed to working towards the actual empowerment of women.
SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav stated during the press conference that the BJP only wants to turn women into mere slogans.
During the press conference, Akhilesh Yadav also made reference to the murder case of Shilpi Kushwaha-a daughter of Hardoi. He stated that the victimized daughter wandered from door to door seeking justice; she lodged complaints ranging from the Superintendent of Police (SP) down to the Station Officer (SO) and Circle Officer (CO), yet her pleas went unheard, and ultimately, she was murdered. Akhilesh Yadav remarked, "People are taking the law into their own hands; this is a failure of the government." He also demanded that the UP government make comprehensive arrangements for the security of the victim's family.
Inflation and Attacks on the Public
Akhilesh Yadav accused the government of driving up inflation. He argued that the rising cost of gas cylinders has not only increased the expense of the cylinders themselves but has also driven up the overall cost of food and daily necessities, signaling the onset of a prolonged period of inflation. He asserted that the BJP is siphoning money out of the common people's pockets to fill the coffers of the wealthy.
The SP chief further stated that CM Yogi's rhetoric is demeaning and insulting to the public. He alleged that certain individuals have become subservient to the BJP, blindly carrying out whatever the party dictates.
Industry and the PDA
Akhilesh Yadav stated that Hardoi's largest factory is a legacy of the SP, yet it fails to produce even a small-scale product . Commenting on the PDA issue, he remarked that once the "PDA wave" begins to blow, their (the opposition's) security deposits will be forfeited.
Bengal, Laborers, and Environmental Issues
Akhilesh Yadav also weighed in on the Bengal elections, claiming that votes were being suppressed through intimidation-specifically, by brandishing revolvers-yet he expressed confidence that "Didi's" (Mamata Banerjee's) victory was inevitable. He accused the government of colluding with industrialists to undermine the rights of laborers and demanded the withdrawal of legal cases filed against workers in Noida.
Furthermore, he took aim at the government regarding environmental issues. Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the BJP was preparing to sell off the Aravalli Hills, demonstrating a complete disregard for the environment; he asserted that their sole objective remains the pursuit of votes.
