BJP slams Akhilesh over ‘PDA audit’

Lucknow: UP BJP chief Pankaj Chaudhary on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on SP president Akhilesh Yadav over his recently released “PDA audit” and the promise to conduct a caste census within 90 days if voted for in 2027.

Chaudhary accused the SP of “family rule, caste politics and corruption” during its 2012-2017 tenure in UP. He questioned Yadav’s credibility on issues related to social justice, recruitment transparency and reservation policies.

Referring to the SP chief’s caste census promise, Chaudhary said the announcement reflected either “constitutional ignorance or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public”. He alleged that SP failed to prioritise backward classes and Dalits during its own tenure despite supporting the UPA govt at the Centre.

The BJP functionary also targeted the previous SP govt over alleged irregularities in recruitment processes, particularly in UP Public Service Commission (UPPSC). He claimed that appointments during SP regime were influenced by “parchi and kharchi” — a Hindi phrase referring to recommendations and bribery, rather than merit.

Highlighting the BJP govt’s record, Chaudhary said more than six lakh govt jobs had been provided in UP under the current administration. He asserted that recruitment processes under the “double-engine govt” had remained transparent and compliant with reservation norms.

On the ongoing controversy surrounding the 69,000 teacher recruitment case, Chaudhary said the issue was rooted in “policy mistakes” made during the SP’s tenure and noted that the matter remains subjudice.

Drawing a contrast between the two parties’ interpretation of `PDA’, Chaudhary said the SP’s PDA represented “Parivar (family), Dal (party) and a particular vote bank”, while the BJP’s PDA stood for the poor and marginalised sections who were benefiting from welfare schemes without discrimination.

Chaudhary also emphasised the BJP’s outreach to non-Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav Dalits, saying these groups had been given representation in both govt and the party organisation.