Akhilesh Yadav slams BJP over rising inflation and LPG price hike

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) national president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday targeted the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state over rising inflation and the recent increase in LPG cylinder prices.

Speaking to reporters at the party office in Lucknow, Yadav alleged that inflation continues to rise while the government is burdening the public through higher taxes.

Advertisement

He said the price of LPG cylinders had been increased by around ₹60. “The government claims that prices are raised due to certain circumstances and will be reduced later. But once something becomes expensive, it rarely becomes cheaper again,” he remarked.

The SP chief alleged that people are facing hardships in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party. He said heavy taxation was a major reason behind the rising prices of vehicles, claiming that taxes in some cases reach up to 50 percent.

“We understand only one thing— inflation will go away only when the BJP leaves,” he said.

Yadav also accused the BJP of attempting to defame the Samajwadi Party and repeatedly trying to portray the party in a negative light. Referring to the recently viral song “Katta,” he alleged that it was an attempt to tarnish the SP’s image.

He said an FIR would be filed against the song and warned that if no action was taken, the BJP would be held responsible.

Highlighting the achievements of the previous SP government, Yadav said it had undertaken major development projects in the state, including the construction of expressways, the Lok Bhavan, and the Gomti Riverfront project.

He claimed that the largest number of thermal power plants in the state were installed during the SP government and several major infrastructure projects were initiated.

Meanwhile, leaders from other parties continue to join the Samajwadi Party ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Congress leader and former Lok Sabha candidate from Sant Kabir Nagar, Rohit Pandey, joined the SP at an event in Lucknow on Saturday. Several others, including DNNS Yadav and former police officer Rajiv Gupta, also joined the party.

Speaking on the occasion, Pandey alleged that the BJP was taking the country backwards, while Akhilesh Yadav had a clear vision for development.

He also claimed that the perception that upper-caste voters only support the BJP had been challenged by the Samajwadi Party’s performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections.