NEW DELHI: As the political tension in Uttar Pradesh escalates ahead of the November 20 bye-elections, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Awadhesh Prasad on Monday took aim at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Prasad claimed Adityanath has been “unable to make any statements” against the SP and PDA (Pichhde, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak) alliance for a month, alleging the Chief Minister’s silence signals apprehension toward them.
Prasad’s remarks follow Yogi Adityanath’s recent attack on the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party, branding it a “production house of criminals and mafia” and accusing it of perpetuating violence and targeting weaker sections of society.
“For a month now, CM Yogi Adityanath has been in such fear of SP and PDA that he is unable to think of what statement he can make about us. The truth is that Samajwadi Party has always fought to protect fundamental rights as enshrined in Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution,” Prasad told ANI.
Prasad further accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of wanting to dismantle constitutional provisions like reservations, while asserting that SP and PDA remain committed to public issues, dignity, and development. “BJP intends to scrap the Constitution’s provisions, scrap reservation. Those intentions won’t succeed. PDA is fully prepared for that,” he said. Criticizing Adityanath’s statements, Prasad urged him to “adhere to the conduct of a Chief Minister, of a sadhu.”
Meanwhile, CM Adityanath, addressing a rally in Majhwan on Sunday, called SP “the production house of mafia and criminals,” alleging Akhilesh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav lead and train these groups. “These mafia and criminals are there to usurp people’s wealth. They intend to harm the weaker sections and violate the dignity of women,” Adityanath said.
The political battle intensifies as nine Assembly seats, including Sisamau, Katehri, Kundarki, and Majhwan, prepare for byelections on November 20, with results due on November 23.