Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh government on September 10 of attempting to restrict his party’s programmes, while criticizing it for failing to effectively address issues such as floods and environmental conservation.
Speaking in Lucknow, Yadav questioned the government’s motives behind its actions against Samajwadi Party events, alleging that police were deployed in several districts to prevent party workers from conducting Teachers’ Day programmes. “Why is the government so rattled by these programs? What is the reason for this panic? Perhaps no one has ever witnessed such a poor government in a democracy—one that strips away the rights that belong to you and me,” he said.
He stated that when SP members went to honor teachers and engage with children on educational matters, the police were deployed to stop the programmes. “This government is on its way out; that is the resolve we have committed ourselves to,” he added.
Regarding the denial of permission for a party event in Bulandshahr, Yadav claimed that the administration initially assured SP workers that permission would be granted but later refused approval citing the month of Sawan. He explained that the party had fixed the date of the program and maintained contact with the District Magistrate and other officials. However, after rescheduling the date, permission was still not granted for the proposed venue.
Yadav said the party intended to meet its workers, interact with the media, and discuss decisions a future Samajwadi Party government would make. He added that while a state-level manifesto for the upcoming elections would be prepared, the party also wished to identify district-level issues and include major initiatives in the manifesto.
The SP chief further alleged that permission for a helipad was denied due to waterlogging at the Reserve Police Lines ground.
Yadav criticized the state government’s flood management efforts, alleging that promises made regarding the construction of riverbanks and measures to prevent flood damage had not been fulfilled. “The government has kept claiming that it would resolve the flood problem; however, it made false promises regarding the construction of riverbanks and measures to prevent flood damage,” he said.
He also announced that the party’s election manifesto would include measures for the preservation of Lakhimpur’s forest, describing it as a unique and historic ecosystem.