BJP promoting ‘negative politics’, weakening small businesses: Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Lucknow: Former UP chief minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing it of promoting “negative politics”, weakening institutions and failing to address unemployment, inflation, crime and repeated paper leaks, while also unveiling an economic roadmap centred on traders, MSMEs and tourism at the party’s Vision India Conclave.Akhilesh alleged that the BJP had spent “thousands of crores” to malign opposition leaders and suppress dissent. “If facts are reported honestly, FIRs are filed and people are implicated in false cases,” he said.He claimed that public education and healthcare systems had weakened under the BJP government, alleging a decline in the number of government primary schools in Agra and the closure or dysfunction of several health centres. “The government is promoting private institutions while neglecting public infrastructure,” he said.Targeting law and order, Akhilesh alleged a rise in atrocities against Dalits and crimes against women, citing NCRB data. He also accused the government of allowing repeated paper leaks, saying youths were being denied fair employment opportunities.Earlier, addressing the Vision India Conclave, themed “Why Small Businesses Are Being Ruined”, the former CM said small traders and entrepreneurs formed the backbone of Uttar Pradesh’s economy but were being pushed into distress. “Nearly six crore people are connected to small businesses. Instead of supporting them, the present government has weakened them,” he said.Highlighting past achievements, he said projects such as the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and metro initiatives had improved connectivity in western UP.Outlining future plans, Akhilesh promised an IT city in Agra, a Yamuna riverfront, better tourism infrastructure and an international convention centre. He also proposed a dedicated MSME policy, a Leather Development Board in Agra, a Glass Research Centre in Firozabad, subsidised electricity and easier access to loans.He announced welfare measures for artisans, including accident insurance of up to Rs 10 lakh and the formation of a Craftsmen Welfare and Income Commission.Reiterating the SP’s PDA outreach strategy, he expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc would contest elections unitedly and defeat the BJP. “The BJP is nervous because it has no answers to people’s real issues,” he said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.