The leader of the opposition in the Uttar Pradesh assembly, Mata Prasad Pandey, has strongly condemned the Magh Mela administration's decision to deny permission for installing a statue of Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav at a dedicated camp. Pandey also accused the state government of political vendetta for registering a false police case against the camp's organiser.
Administration's Decision Sparks Political Outcry
The controversy revolves around the camp set up by the Mulayam Singh Yadav Smriti Sewa Sansthan (MSYSSS) at the ongoing Magh Mela in Prayagraj. The organisers, led by former SP candidate from Prayagraj City (West) Sandeep Yadav, had sought permission to install a statue of the late SP founder at their camp. However, the mela administration refused the request, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from senior Samajwadi Party leaders.
In a statement issued on Friday, Mata Prasad Pandey highlighted that a statue of Mulayam Singh Yadav was successfully installed at the MSYSSS camp during the previous Kumbh Mela. "The mela administration did not allow the MSYSSS organisers to install the SP founder's statue at the camp set-up for the Magh Mela, which is condemnable," Pandey stated. He further alleged that slapping a false police case on Sandeep Yadav was an act of pure vendetta by the government.
Camp Inaugurated with Deities Amidst Controversy
Following the administration's refusal, the MSYSSS organisers proceeded with the formal inauguration of their pilgrim camp on January 1. Instead of the planned statue, they installed idols of Radha and Lord Krishna with traditional rituals. The ceremony was attended by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey and National President of the SP Women's Wing, Juhi Singh.
The camp, as per its tradition, offers free accommodation, food, and medical assistance to pilgrims attending the Magh Mela. During the inauguration, Pandey reminisced about Mulayam Singh Yadav's deep connection with Prayagraj and his consistent focus on major religious events like the Kumbh and Magh Melas.
A Pattern of Political Tension
This incident is seen as the latest flashpoint in the ongoing political tussle in Uttar Pradesh. The denial of permission for the statue and the subsequent police case have been framed by the opposition as an attempt to undermine the legacy of the SP founder and harass party workers. The Samajwadi Party has positioned this action as indicative of the ruling party's intolerance.
The camp organiser, Sandeep Yadav, now faces legal scrutiny, adding a layer of confrontation to the dispute. The party has vowed to raise the issue strongly, asserting that it will not allow the contributions of Mulayam Singh Yadav to be erased from public memory, especially in a city and at an event he held in high regard.
