Former UP Minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui Launches Scathing Attack on BJP Government
In a significant political development, former Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui launched a blistering critique against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on Saturday. Speaking at PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) community gatherings during Holi–Eid Milan programs held in Maharajganj and Gorakhpur, Siddiqui asserted that "every section of society is distressed" under the current administration.
Allegations of Failed Governance and Rising Insecurity
Siddiqui, who served as a minister in previous state governments, claimed the BJP administration has completely failed to uphold its much-publicized "zero-tolerance" policy against social injustices. He specifically highlighted what he described as a disturbing increase in incidents of atrocities against Dalit girls across Uttar Pradesh. The former minister emphasized that a pervasive sense of insecurity is now prevailing throughout the state, affecting vulnerable communities disproportionately.
Addressing the political gathering as the chief guest, Siddiqui intensified his criticism by alleging that the BJP regime has become "synonymous with injustice and oppression" in the eyes of marginalized communities. His remarks came during events presided over by former assembly speaker Ganesh Shankar Pandey, who stressed the critical need for unity among PDA communities to address these challenges collectively.
Constitutional Principles and Political Allegiances
Invoking the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Siddiqui reminded attendees that the Indian Constitution explicitly guarantees dignity and fundamental rights for all deprived sections, including Dalits, backward classes, minorities, and women. He argued that these constitutional protections are being systematically undermined under the current government's watch.
In a clear political endorsement, Siddiqui further asserted that the Samajwadi Party (SP), under the leadership of former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, is "fighting strongly to protect the Constitution and democracy" in Uttar Pradesh. This statement positioned the SP as the primary opposition force challenging what he characterized as BJP's failures in governance.
Response to Political Criticism and Broader Support
The former minister's comments came in response to recent remarks by Om Prakash Rajbhar, who had described Siddiqui as a "spent force (dagaa hua kartoos)" in Uttar Pradesh politics. Siddiqui countered that he knows Rajbhar well from their time together in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), suggesting familiarity with his political trajectory and motivations.
Adding weight to Siddiqui's allegations, former MLA Kunwar Kaushal Singh claimed during the same events that the Samajwadi Party has consistently safeguarded the interests of all societal sections throughout its political history. Singh specifically mentioned farmers, youth, and students as groups that are being particularly neglected under the present BJP government's policies and priorities.
The PDA meetings in Gorakhpur and Maharajganj thus served as a platform for opposition voices to consolidate their critique of the ruling party while appealing to marginalized communities ahead of potential electoral contests. The emphasis on constitutional values, social justice, and protection of vulnerable groups formed the core messaging of these political gatherings.
