Lucknow, October 4 (Daily Kiran) : The Samajwadi Party (SP) has expressed its support for the decision to rename Bhadohi as Sant Ravidas Nagar, while simultaneously criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for failing to address pressing social issues. SP legislator Ravidas Mehrotra emphasized that Sant Ravidas is a symbol of faith, social justice, and equality for millions. However, he argued that merely changing a district’s name will not ensure rights and respect for Dalits, backward classes, and marginalized communities.
Mehrotra questioned the BJP’s commitment to the values espoused by Sant Ravidas, asking what concrete actions the government has taken to support the employment, education, and welfare of these communities. He asserted that the SP has long fought for the rights and dignity of the marginalized and accused the BJP of disrespecting these groups while adopting SP’s initiatives.
In response to comments made by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari regarding the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Mehrotra stated that the BJP is attempting to distract the public from real issues such as inflation, unemployment, corruption, and the state of healthcare and education in BJP-ruled states.
Discussing the relationship between the SP and Congress ahead of upcoming elections, Mehrotra confidently predicted that the SP would form the government in Uttar Pradesh in 2027 and that the INDIA alliance would secure power at the national level in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. He mentioned that the SP and Congress would collaborate in these elections.
Reflecting on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Mehrotra noted that the SP-Congress alliance had previously won 37 seats for the SP and six for Congress in Uttar Pradesh. He asserted that the SP remains the primary alternative to the BJP in the state.
Mehrotra announced that SP President Akhilesh Yadav would visit Ayodhya on October 8 to engage with various community leaders, including saints and sages. He expressed confidence that the public is ready for change and that under Yadav’s leadership, the SP would reclaim power in the state.
On the matter of fraudulent Form-7 submissions, Mehrotra called for action against those responsible, alleging that the Election Commission has failed in its duties. He accused the Commission and its Chief Election Commissioner of serious misconduct and demanded their removal, suggesting that the BJP’s defense of them indicates wrongdoing.
Regarding seat-sharing discussions with Congress, Mehrotra stressed that the alliance’s goal should be to oust the BJP from power, emphasizing that candidates should contest from constituencies where they stand the best chance of winning.
In response to Rahul Gandhi‘s remarks, Mehrotra stated that the SP could bring the government to its knees if the opposition united. He cited examples from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, asserting that youth protests could similarly force change in India.
Finally, he urged Congress to adhere to coalition principles before making demands for seats, recalling past grievances from the 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections when Congress fielded a candidate against the SP despite their alliance. Mehrotra expressed optimism that discussions between SP President Akhilesh Yadav, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi are ongoing and that clarity on the alliance and seat distribution would soon emerge.
Leave a Comment