Uttar Pradesh Assembly Descends into Chaos During Governor's Address
The joint sitting of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Monday was thrown into disarray as members of the Samajwadi Party staged a vociferous protest, creating a scene of pandemonium that drowned out the Governor's address. The demonstration centered on two key issues: the controversial bulldozer action as part of redevelopment work at Varanasi's historic Manikarnika Ghat and the Election Commission's special intensive revision of the voters' list.
Samajwadi Party Members Stage Dramatic Protest
SP legislators arrived prepared for a confrontation, carrying an array of placards and posters while donning T-shirts emblazoned with images depicting the demolition at Manikarnika Ghat. In a bold move, they surged towards the well of the House, positioning themselves directly in front of the Speaker's podium to amplify their dissent through relentless sloganeering.
Their chants reverberated through the chamber, with cries of "Governor madam go back, go back" and "Governor's address is a bundle of lies" echoing loudly. The protest took on a symbolic dimension as SP member Engineer Sachin Yadav wore a distinctive T-shirt over his kurta, featuring a photograph of the Manikarnika Ghat demolition on one side and a portrait of Malwa queen Ahilyabai Holkar on the other.
Adding to the visual spectacle, Sardhana MLA Atul Pradhan brandished a large poster of Holkar, while fellow members including Zahid Beg, Dr Ragini Sonker, Faheem, and Pankaj Malik waved placards and joined in the chorus of slogans. The disruption began promptly at 11 AM when Speaker Satish Mahana invited Governor Anandiben Patel to deliver her address, only for senior SP member Sangram Yadav to immediately raise objections regarding the SIR issue.
Governor's Address Drowned Out by Sustained Disruption
Terming the Governor's speech a "bundle of lies", the SP members intensified their protest, shouting slogans such as "False speech will not be accepted". The commotion persisted unabated throughout the entire address, which lasted over thirty minutes, rendering the Governor's words largely inaudible amidst the chaos.
Amidst chants accusing the government of being "Killer of Dalits and backwards" and an "Anti-reservation govt will not be accepted", Governor Patel persevered to complete her written address. Despite the audible challenges, her speech outlined the various achievements of the Yogi Adityanath-led administration, highlighting governance milestones and developmental initiatives.
Pre-Session Protests and Broader Political Context
Even before the formal commencement of the session, SP MLAs had gathered on the Assembly premises to protest against what they described as the government's anti-people policies. SP national spokesperson and legislative council member Rajendra Chaudhary launched a scathing critique, alleging that the state government had failed on all fronts.
The protesters specifically highlighted discrepancies in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, arguing that the process lacked transparency and fairness. This pre-session mobilization set the stage for the intense confrontation that unfolded inside the House, reflecting deepening political tensions in Uttar Pradesh ahead of crucial electoral cycles.
The incident underscores the volatile nature of legislative proceedings in the state, where symbolic protests and vocal dissent have become a recurring feature of political discourse, often overshadowing formal governmental addresses and policy announcements.
