Congress Questions Democracy in Uttar Pradesh Amid Akhilesh Yadav’s Allegations
Following Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s criticism of the Uttar Pradesh government for allegedly obstructing his visit to the Jay Prakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) on the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter, Congress National Spokesperson Pawan Khera expressed serious concerns about the state of democracy in Uttar Pradesh.
Khera stated, “If someone is not even allowed to pay homage in Uttar Pradesh, then democracy is questionable. If someone is put under house arrest and not allowed to pay respects, it raises concerns.” The situation escalated when entrances to the JPNIC were reportedly barricaded with tin sheets the night before, preventing public access.
Akhilesh Yadav took to social media platform X to voice his frustration, describing the incident as emblematic of the BJP’s governance, which he referred to as the “ostentatious Amritkal of freedom.” He accused the ruling party of creating barriers to prevent people from honoring freedom fighters, asserting that such actions reflect a narrow mindset and hostility towards figures like Jai Prakash Narayan, who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle. Yadav further remarked on the BJP’s guilt over its members’ lack of participation in the freedom movement, which he believes motivates their reluctance to pay tributes.
In addition to addressing the situation in Uttar Pradesh, Khera also commented on the ongoing issue regarding Delhi Chief Minister Atishi not being allocated a bungalow. He criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for diverting attention from pressing public concerns by focusing on the CM’s residence. “The priorities of the people of Delhi are much bigger and more severe than these disputes,” he noted.
Regarding the recent resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly opposing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy, Khera condemned it as a distracting strategy employed by Prime Minister Modi. He argued that such initiatives lack justification within a democracy that values its federal structure, stating that they are contrary to constitutional arrangements.
On the topic of the Congress party’s future in the new Jammu and Kashmir government, particularly in light of the National Conference gaining support from independent leaders, Khera assured that decisions are made through proper procedures involving discussions and meetings.
As political tensions rise in Uttar Pradesh and beyond, these statements reflect the ongoing challenges facing opposition parties in navigating the current political landscape and advocating for democratic values.
