New Delhi, September 2: Ramji Lal Suman, a member of the Samajwadi Party, has raised serious concerns regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, and issues surrounding the management of the Ayodhya Ram Temple. He has demanded an investigation into the alleged corruption within the Jal Jeevan Mission, claiming that despite assertions of extensive work, many villages still lack access to clean drinking water.
Suman emphasized the necessity of a coalition between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, urging both parties to adopt a practical approach based on ground realities.
Regarding the alleged scams linked to the Water Power Department, Suman stated that the situation is extremely serious. The central government launched the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, aimed at providing clean drinking water to rural areas. He accused the government of presenting false claims about achieving this goal, as the actual situation on the ground tells a different story. In several locations, pipelines have been laid and water tanks constructed, yet residents are still without water. He insisted that a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities and corruption under the Jal Jeevan Mission is essential, and accountability must be established since the implementation of the program lies with state governments.
Suman also questioned the government’s claim of reaching approximately 82 percent of the population with water, stating that this figure does not align with the reality on the ground. He accused the government of presenting fabricated statistics.
When asked about Congress’s claim of contesting 115 to 120 seats in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, Suman stressed that political parties must adopt a practical perspective. In the current circumstances, an alliance between Congress and the Samajwadi Party is crucial. For the coalition’s success, both parties need to engage in self-reflection and assess their actual standing at the grassroots level. The Samajwadi Party has authorized its national president, Akhilesh Yadav, to negotiate the alliance.
He suggested that it would be in the coalition’s best interest to consider the real political situation when discussing seat distribution and electoral strategy, prioritizing ground realities over mere claims.
On the appointment of a new CEO for the Ayodhya Ram Temple, Suman remarked that while the appointment is a separate issue for administrative purposes, investigating the alleged corruption linked to the temple is of greater importance. He pointed out that there have been irregularities in the temple’s construction and trust-related matters, with smaller employees being held accountable while larger figures have escaped scrutiny. The Samajwadi Party has consistently maintained that the SIT formed by the state government will not conduct an impartial investigation. He advocated for an inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court judge or a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Suman alleged that attempts have been made to shield influential individuals involved in the alleged corruption related to the temple. While the appointment of a CEO could improve temple administration, it is equally important to hold accountable those responsible for the alleged corruption and irregularities.
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