Lucknow, May 6 (PTI) Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday alleged that individuals linked to the ruling BJP were forcibly grabbing land from farmers and warned the ruling party of electoral backlash “similar to its defeat in Ayodhya”.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was speaking after meeting a delegation of farmers and labourers from Jhansi at the SP’s state headquarters.
“Farmers’ lands are being taken away under pressure for development and business projects. The SP demands that farmers must get fair market prices, and no forced agreements should be signed,” the SP chief told reporters.
“The BJP earlier tried to bring a land acquisition law that would allow it to take away farmers’ land. Even today, the BJP people are involved in land grabbing,” he alleged.
Referring to BJP’s loss in Faizabad in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Yadav said, “The BJP should remember what happened when they tried to take over poor people’s land in Ayodhya – the people, under the blessing of Lord Ram, defeated them and sent a message across the country that communal politics will no longer work.” Targeting the BJP over its promises on defence manufacturing in Bundelkhand, he said, “They said they would make missiles and fighter jets in the region, but nothing has happened.
“If even basic arms and ammunition had been manufactured here, we wouldn’t need to import them. Had they made missiles in Bundelkhand, it would not have to be imported from Russia.
“They haven’t produced a single ‘sutli bomb’ (crude firecracker), but they took away farmers’ land.” Yadav also questioned the BJP’s intentions on national security. “How does the BJP know a war is coming? Why is its media cell asking for volunteers to help people? It seems they know something the country doesn’t. The BJP is not serious about issues like national security.” Responding to a query on state Congress chief Ajay Rai’s controversial ‘lemon-chilli’ comment on Rafale jets, Yadav said, “Everyone has assured support to the government on national security, so past questions shouldn’t be raised now. Though I won’t comment on the Congress, we all have told the government to take decisive steps – we’re with them.” Yadav condemned the media reports related to an Agra incident and alleged “the government used the wrong name intentionally to defame a particular caste, especially Samajwadis”.
“If the government doesn’t even know the real name of the person who has been killed in the encounter, isn’t that a fake encounter?” he said.
He demanded the suspension of the officer who allegedly briefed journalists with incorrect information, calling it a “criminal act aimed at character assassination.” On reports claiming that the state government may sell the Jaiprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) in Lucknow, Yadav said, “If the BJP wants to sell it, we’re ready to buy it because of our ideological connection.
“I appeal to all Samajwadis across India to donate – we want to preserve it. This government only sells assets; it cannot create them.” In a swipe at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the issue of corruption, Yadav said, “Our respected CM is very honest. He never speaks anything but the truth. Keep praising him – after all, he’s on his way out. Everyone knows that.” He also alleged that false cases are being registered against SP workers by those “who are panicking, knowing they are going to lose the elections. No arithmetic can save them now.” He also reiterated the demand for providing financial assistance to the families of the Pahalgam terrorist attack victims and “martyr” status to them. PTI SLM ABN RT
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