Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav on Friday questioned the government’s foreign policy in light of the recent violence in neighbouring Nepal.
“Our first priority should be peace in neighbouring countries and on the borders. The Indian government has failed in its foreign policy many times,” he said at a press conference, adding that after Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Nepal is witnessing a similar movement.
When asked whether he foresees a similar situation in India, Akhilesh Yadav said, “Several theories are emerging on social media about Nepal’s internal politics, but we cannot form an opinion by looking at only one aspect.”
He said there were many other issues – poverty, unemployment, inflation – and that the younger generation was also voicing opinions on social media. “But our country is more prosperous, and we all want to see a good future for everyone here,” he added.
Regarding the poor condition of health facilities in Gonda, Akhilesh Yadav said that ever since the BJP government came to power, there has been a decline in every sector, even though it calls itself a double-engine government.
He said that incidents keep occurring from time to time in UP. “What can be expected from a Deputy CM who works only after being scolded and whose own car was once snatched away?” he asked. “The entire department has been ruined. Whether it is Saifai, KGMU, Lohia, or the PHC-CHC network, the condition of all is poor.”
When asked about the death of a BJP worker in custody in Ghazipur, he claimed that after Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh records the highest number of custodial deaths. “Now even BJP members are feeling the pain,” he said, adding, “We must find out who is promoting this from behind.”
Akhilesh Yadav said that only recently everyone had seen the video of students being beaten. “Earlier, people were dying by consuming poison; now they are taking poison even after reaching the Chief Minister’s court. People are also resorting to self-immolation outside the Samajwadi Party office in the hope of justice,” he added.
He said that UP should not suffer the consequences of internal fighting in the BJP. He added that corruption is at its peak, recalling the alleged fake encounter in the Jaunpur bank robbery case. “Later, to cover up the incident, they even got a person of their own caste killed,” he alleged.
Akhilesh Yadav said it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to prevent vote rigging. “We have seen in Uttar Pradesh that when votes were not cast, people were forced to vote at the point of revolvers. Even the Chief Minister deployed officers of his own caste. Whether it was the Kundarki or Rampur elections. Even 5,000 outsiders were sent to Ayodhya,” he alleged.
The SP President warned that if such electoral “robbery” happens again, people across the country could take to the streets. He noted that the Supreme Court has issued directions on this matter from time to time and expressed hope that the Election Commission will follow them to avoid being labelled a “Jugaad Commission.”
In response to a question, he said that UP Minister Baby Rani Maurya is being deliberately insulted. “She was removed from the post of Governor and made to contest elections in UP. She was given assurance of CM’s post but was only made a minister, and now she is being insulted,” he said.
Akhilesh Yadav said that floods in Punjab have caused large-scale loss of life, destroyed crops, and killed livestock. He demanded that the government fully compensate the affected people in Punjab and extend assistance to those hit by floods in Jammu and Kashmir, UP, and Uttarakhand.
Earlier, representatives of the Sikh community honoured Akhilesh Yadav by placing a turban on his head. On this occasion, while paying tribute to the families of those killed in the Lakhimpur farmers’ movement, Akhilesh Yadav said, “The red turban is worn during times of happiness. Now happiness is on its way – the SP government is going to be formed.”
He said, “We have assured that when we form the government, all the demands of the Sikh community will be fulfilled. At one time, they contributed to making the state prosperous through farming. When our government comes, we will do everything to honour them – from supporting their religious events to ensuring their rights under the Constitution are upheld.