In a strong declaration of support for farmers, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav reassured that his party has consistently stood by their demands concerning rights and dignity. Speaking to reporters in Bahraich on Saturday amidst the ongoing farmers’ protest at Haryana borders, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister emphasized, “Samajwadi Party is a party of farmers. We have always stood with their demands as far as their rights and respect are concerned and will continue to do so.”
Yadav also criticized the Yogi Adityanath government over the cancellation of the Uttar Pradesh Police Constable Recruitment examination, alleging a lack of intent to provide jobs. He argued that prompt action should have been taken as soon as the first paper leak was reported, questioning the transparency of the examination process and expressing concern for the future of the youth.
Addressing concerns raised by senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid regarding the Farrukhabad Lok Sabha seat, which went to the Samajwadi Party in the alliance’s seat-sharing talks, Yadav pointed out the historical significance of socialist stalwart Ram Manohar Lohia winning his first election from Farrukhabad. He hoped for unity within the alliance.
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s criticism of the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, Akhilesh Yadav countered by questioning the BJP’s fulfillment of their promise to double farmers’ income. He called for an analysis of the last ten years and highlighted the impact of inflation on commodity prices.
In a grave allegation against the BJP, Yadav suggested that the government might even attempt to snatch citizens’ voting rights after the election. Expressing concerns about the state of democracy, he stated, “The government is influencing agencies like the Election Commission or the court. They are also pressuring the media. For big people, it is CBI; for local news reporters, it is the SHO of the local police station…The fight is big.”
In a significant political development, the Congress and Samajwadi Party recently announced a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh. The formal alliance allocates 17 seats to the Congress and 63 seats to the Samajwadi Party in the electorally crucial state. Traditional strongholds Rae Bareli and Amethi remain with the Congress, which will also contest Varanasi, Ghaziabad, and Kanpur. This announcement comes in the backdrop of the BJP winning 62 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, with the BSP and SP securing 10 and five seats, respectively, in alliance.
