Meharotra Rebukes BJP Over Nepotism Claims, Calls Out Sugar and School Issues
Lucknow, 23 August – In a fiery press briefing, Samajwadi Party legislator Ravidas Meharotra defended Akhilesh Yadav’s recent statement on family‑based politics and launched a broadside against the Bharatiya Janata Party. Meharotra said the SP’s origins lie in people’s struggles and that its leaders who have relatives in the parliament have secured their seats by winning the electorate’s trust.
He turned the tables on the BJP, alleging that the party is equally steeped in nepotism. “Many senior BJP leaders have children or spouses holding MLA, MP or key party posts,” Meharotra noted, adding that the BJP lacks moral standing to lecture the SP on the issue.
On the demand for the National Lok Dal (RLD) to be allotted 120 seats in the next Uttar Pradesh assembly poll, Meharotra reminded that several RLD MLAs won with SP backing in 2022, while former ally Jayant Chaudhary later aligned with the BJP. He urged the BJP to honor the RLD by providing a proportionate share of seats rather than mere rhetoric.
Discussing the surge in sugar prices, Meharotra accused the central government of allowing ethanol production to eat into domestic sugarcane supplies, resulting in higher market rates. He highlighted the double impact on citizens: more expensive sugar for households and added fuel costs because of ethanol‑mixed petrol.
When asked about the government’s post‑terrorism cease‑fire declaration, Meharotra referenced Akhilesh Yadav’s “go to Pakistan” comment, suggesting the BJP’s criticism is hypocritical.
Regarding Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive to file FIRs against individuals sharing alleged misleading school videos, Meharotra drew attention to the chronic under‑funding of state schools. He said thousands of government schools are closed and many still lack basic amenities such as electricity, fans, furniture, drinking water and toilets, accusing the BJP of focusing on suppressing dissent rather than addressing educational deficits.
Looking toward the 2027 assembly elections, Meharotra claimed a favorable atmosphere is emerging for the SP, noting that the BJP’s repeated personal attacks on Akhilesh Yadav reveal its fear of his growing influence.
Finally, the MLA warned that the BJP is attempting to divide society on the basis of caste amid ongoing protests over sub‑categorisation of reservations. He reiterated the SP’s commitment to champion the rights of Dalits, women and economically weaker sections, describing the PDA as a collective of those who have faced oppression and denial of respect.