Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh ministers Swatantra Dev Singh and Aseem Arun on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) and its chief Akhilesh Yadav, alleging that recruitment processes during the party’s tenure were marred by corruption, nepotism and caste-based favouritism.
Allegations Against SP Government
The ministers accused the previous SP government of turning government recruitments into a “system of collection and manipulation.” They claimed that the current BJP-led government has restored transparency and merit in appointments. Singh alleged that whenever recruitment advertisements were issued during the SP regime, “uncle-nephew networks would become active to loot candidates.” He further claimed that transfer-postings and recruitments operated through “fixed rates” and that recommendations and money determined selections.
BJP's Recruitment Record
Singh said the Yogi Adityanath government had completed nearly 900,000 government recruitments in a transparent and fair manner, ensuring opportunities for youths from all sections of society. The minister also accused the former SP government of suppressing Dalits, backward classes and weaker sections, alleging that corruption and favouritism had become institutionalised during that period.
Response to PDA Audit Report
Arun targeted Akhilesh over the opposition party’s recently released “PDA audit report,” saying the public already possesses the “real audit report” of the SP’s governance. Referring to the 2004-07 police recruitment controversy during the tenure of former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Arun alleged that large-scale irregularities had taken place in police hiring. He said that after Mayawati formed the government in 2007, more than 50 senior police officers were suspended and the recruitment process had to be scrapped. He further claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation later filed a chargesheet in the matter.
The ministers’ statements come amid a heated political climate in Uttar Pradesh, with both parties trading accusations over governance and recruitment practices. The BJP has consistently highlighted its commitment to transparent recruitment, while the SP has denied the allegations and accused the ruling party of diverting attention from key issues.
