Samajwadi Party national president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said an “emergency-like atmosphere” is prevailing in the country, alleging that a single ideology is being imposed on people.
He said issues that were never part of public discourse earlier are now being pushed into politics, creating unnecessary divisions. Yadav emphasized that India’s true identity lies in its diversity and unity, and that these values must be protected.
Speaking at the ‘Vision India – Plan, Develop, Ascent’ programme in Bengaluru, he accused the BJP government of endangering “Hindustaniyat” and spreading negativity.
He said that Vision India promotes a positive and progressive framework focused on equality, inclusiveness, and opportunities for all, especially women, farmers, labourers, and unemployed youth.
Yadav said Bengaluru was chosen to launch the initiative because it symbolizes India’s startup ecosystem, and recalled that the Samajwadi Party government introduced Uttar Pradesh’s first startup policy in 2016.
He said UP must develop cities with technology and innovation ecosystems similar to Bengaluru, citing the IT City built in Lucknow, which now employs thousands of young professionals.
On the distribution of 20 lakh laptops during his tenure, Yadav said the initiative significantly reduced the digital divide in Uttar Pradesh and benefited countless students, many of whom went on to secure admissions in top universities and well-paying jobs.
He added that today’s youth aspire to good education and dignified employment but are instead being pushed into low-paying delivery jobs. A strong startup environment, he said, can generate opportunities and offer stability and respect to young people in India’s largest state.
Meanwhile, SP Uttar Pradesh president Shyamlal Pal alleged that the Election Commission’s claim of distributing counting forms to 14,57,32,454 of 15,44,30,092 voters, 94.37 per cent, is merely paperwork.
He claimed that not even 50 per cent of the forms have been distributed on the ground. The party submitted a memorandum and demanded immediate action on the issue.