Akhilesh urges party workers to unite with renewed vigour

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday urged party workers to work together with renewed energy and commitment in the New Year to serve the people and uphold social justice.Extending New Year greetings to legislators, Members of Parliament, and party workers who visited the party's state headquarters, the former chief minister urged them to follow the path laid by luminaries such as BR Ambedkar, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Mulayam Singh Yadav, stressing the importance of guiding society and the nation towards prosperity.
Meanwhile, launching a scathing attack on the BJP govt, he described it as negative, oppressive, and corrupt. He alleged that under BJP rule, inflation, unemployment, injustice, and exploitation had reached alarming levels, leaving citizens distressed. "The 2027 elections will see the BJP removed from power. Their failure is evident in every sector, from law and order to essential services," he said. He highlighted the govt's alleged failures in governance, stating that the BJP had weakened law and order, mismanaged cybercrime and fraud cases, and compromised public safety. He also accused the government of mismanaging emergency services such as Dial 100 and 1090, destroying education and healthcare infrastructure, and encouraging illegal land grabs under the guise of development. "Under the BJP's protection, public lands are being encroached upon, the Aravalli hills are under threat, and rivers like the Ganga, Gomti, and Yamuna are being polluted. Farmers are not receiving fair crop prices, and essential agricultural inputs are either delayed or sold at inflated rates," he said. Akhilesh further accused the BJP govt of denying reservations and jobs to the poor and backward classes (PDA), claiming that 30,000 PDA jobs had been withdrawn. He said the ruling party was anti-backward, anti-Dalit, and anti-minority, and was attempting to undermine constitutional rights and the empowerment of marginalised communities. The SP leader also took aim at the BJP's handling of public welfare schemes, electricity, and development projects. "The govt failed to establish a single new power plant or increase electricity production, while people continue to face high bills and erratic supply. Health and education systems remain neglected, and development work is stalled," he said. He added that under an SP govt, women would receive Rs 40,000 annually, farmers would get fair prices for their crops, and public services would be restored with transparency and accountability. Prominent party leaders present included national general secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav, leader of opposition Mata Prasad Pandey, Member of Parliament RK Chaudhary, national secretary Rajendra Chaudhary, state president Shyam Lal Pal, and former ministers Balram Yadav and Ambika Chaudhary, among others.