Lucknow buzzed with political fervor on Buddha Purnima as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav unleashed a counterattack against CM Yogi Adityanath’s controversial ‘chameleon’ comment. Speaking at the party office, Yadav portrayed the BJP government as the real shape-shifter, altering positions to dodge core issues plaguing the state.
In his address, Yadav called for collective progress in turbulent times, renewing vows to boost infrastructure at Buddhist landmarks—Lumbini, Sarnath, and Kushinagar—for worldwide appeal. The presence of numerous monks added spiritual depth, with recitations filling the air.
Yadav turned Yogi’s accusation on its head: ‘It’s the ruling side that changes colors with the wind.’ He lambasted ‘Nari Vandana’ as political theater to sideline genuine concerns. UP’s electorate, he said, has grown savvy and yearns for transformation.
Delving into women’s quota, Yadav reminded that it was a bipartisan bill, now weaponized by BJP for votes. He raised alarms over delimitation maneuvers and amendments, hinting at manipulative data tactics. On security, he slammed bulldozer actions, urging fair investigations in Hardoi and Varanasi cases.
Other grievances poured out: smart meter scams, wheat purchase lags, labor reforms hurting workers, and Ayodhya plan flip-flops. ‘Policies benefit only the chosen few,’ Yadav alleged. Monks’ discourses on equity, female upliftment, and backward class rights amplified the message of inclusive governance.
The event underscored SP’s strategy to reclaim narrative control, blending religious harmony with pointed critiques, signaling a robust opposition revival.
