Samajwadi Party (SP) National President and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has made a significant announcement in view of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. Speaking on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, Yadav emphasized the cultural and religious importance of Lord Vishwakarma, stating that the entire country is remembering him today. He noted that Lord Vishwakarma not only created the universe but was also the architect behind the construction of the legendary city of Dwarikapuri. In a major electoral promise, Akhilesh Yadav declared that if the Samajwadi Party returns to power in the state, a public holiday will be officially observed on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti. Also, he committed to the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Lord Vishwakarma on the River Front.
Support for Artisans and Special Budget
Beyond the holiday and temple construction, the former Chief Minister outlined plans to support the Vishwakarma community's artisans. He stated that his government would provide dedicated cooperation and a special budget aimed at developing markets and enhancing the production capabilities of these skilled workers. This move is intended to empower the traditional artisan community and integrate them into the state's economic growth through targeted financial and structural support. He emphasized that the welfare of the artisan class would be a priority for the Samajwadi administration.
Criticism of Expressway Quality and BJP Government
Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the BJP government regarding the quality of infrastructure projects, specifically targeting the Kanpur Expressway. He pointed out that the BJP had previously made various claims about the work being done on the expressway, but now reports of the road breaking are surfacing continuously. He highlighted that even the expressway inaugurated by the Prime Minister is still undergoing repairs. Yadav stated that the construction didn't meet the required quality standards, which is why work is still ongoing on those stretches. He further alleged that the BJP government merely copied the Samajwadi Party's vision to start the Purvanchal Expressway, but the quality is so poor that if people increase their speed even slightly, they might end up in a hospital. He accused the Chief Minister of allowing malpractices in his own expressway projects, noting that the link expressway is still incomplete and has been reduced from 6 lanes to 4 lanes.
Allegations of Corruption and Economic Mismanagement
Targeting the Yogi government, Akhilesh Yadav alleged that no previous government has seen as much loot and corruption as the current BJP administration. He claimed that the government is stating it needs to sell state assets to raise funds, while he specifically mentioned a major scam and irregularities occurring in Ansal Hi-tech City, questioning how resources are being ruined and seized. He remarked that the government's focus seems to be on where the most profit can be directed between Lucknow and Delhi. Regarding the economy, Yadav took a swipe at the 5 trillion dollar economy goal, stating that instead of achieving it, the government is now imposing what he called 'Chungi' (toll/tax) on UPI transactions. He argued that any transaction would now require paying this tax and that the government has no answer to the rising inflation. He concluded by stating that the government's time is coming to an end and promised that the Samajwadi Party would open paths for jobs and employment for ITI students who have been waiting for a long time.