UP Opposition Leader Launches Scathing Attack on BJP-Led Government
In a fiery speech on the floor of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey launched a sharp and comprehensive attack on the BJP-led state government. Speaking during a discussion on the governor's address at the start of the ongoing Budget session, Pandey accused the administration of multiple failures across critical governance sectors.
Sanatan Dharma Principles Called Into Question
Pandey took direct aim at the BJP's frequent references to Sanatan values, challenging the party to align its governance with these principles. "You all speak about Sanatan, and Sanatan speaks of universal brotherhood. If you call yourself Sanatani, then try to run the state according to those principles," Pandey asserted forcefully.
He referenced the recent visit of Shankaracharya, noting that while he didn't wish to comment on the controversy directly, he alleged that officials had misbehaved with the spiritual leader's disciples. "Shankaracharya holds an important position in Sanatan dharma. If he felt insulted, it is a matter of concern. Such incidents should not happen," Pandey emphasized, adding that any resentment must be addressed with proper respect and dignity.
Corruption Allegations and Lokayukta Concerns
Highlighting corruption as what he called the most significant issue troubling the public, Pandey alleged that the governor's address barely touched upon this critical problem. He recalled that the lokayukta institution was established in 1975 specifically to tackle corruption, with corresponding legislation enacted for this purpose.
However, Pandey claimed that these provisions have not been implemented effectively. He alleged that reports against several officials, including four IAS officers and a district panchayat chairperson, were never tabled in the assembly for proper scrutiny.
The Opposition leader also raised serious concerns about the tenure of the lokayukta, noting that while the term was initially five years and later extended to eight years, a current provision allows the incumbent to continue indefinitely until a successor is appointed. This, he suggested, creates potential for abuse and undermines accountability mechanisms.
Law and Order Criticisms and Police Reforms
Pandey alleged that the police force had become "unrestrained" and blamed the appointment of an acting director general of police (DGP) for weakening the entire law enforcement system. "If a permanent DGP is appointed, he cannot be removed for two years and will be able to implement meaningful reforms," Pandey argued, suggesting this structural change would bring much-needed stability.
He questioned the government's claims of improved law and order, particularly in light of 262 reported encounters in the state. "Encounter is not a practice provided in our Constitution. Merely gunning down criminals will not improve law and order," he remarked pointedly.
Pandey also criticized the application of the Gangster Act, originally introduced during former chief minister Veer Bahadur Singh's tenure. He noted that he had opposed the legislation at the time, warning of its long-term negative impacts. The Opposition leader alleged that the Act is now being misused to harass innocent people and called for its proper, judicious implementation.
Women's Safety and Emerging Crime Threats
Raising significant concerns about women's safety, Pandey posed a direct question: whether a woman could safely travel from Aminabad to Hazratganj in Lucknow without fear. "Chain snatching incidents are happening. This must be stopped," he insisted, highlighting what he described as ongoing security challenges.
He further pointed to the emergence of new organized crime groups despite government claims of eliminating mafia elements. Pandey questioned whether adequate attention was being paid to the growing threat of cybercrime, suggesting that law enforcement priorities might be misaligned with evolving criminal patterns.
Employment Generation and Educational Quality
Shifting to economic concerns, Pandey stressed the importance of promoting small-scale industries, calling them more crucial than large industries for employment generation. He expressed particular concern about the quality of government schools, questioning why parents increasingly prefer private institutions.
"Two types of education are being created — one for the poor and one for the rich. Government school quality must improve," Pandey asserted, highlighting what he described as an educational divide developing in the state.
Reservation Benefits and Social Justice
In a veiled remark aimed at Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad, Pandey noted that the Nishad community has yet to receive reservation benefits despite ongoing discussions. "We are not against reservation. We have fought long battles for it," he clarified, emphasizing his support for affirmative action policies while questioning their implementation.
MNREGS Corruption Allegations
On the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS), Pandey alleged large-scale corruption and commission practices that he claimed were weakening the quality of work under the scheme. He suggested that funds intended for rural employment and development were being diverted through corrupt practices.
Overall Governance Assessment
Throughout his comprehensive critique, Pandey repeatedly emphasized that the reality on the ground is far from what has been presented in official statements and addresses. He claimed that if the governor's speech was fully implemented, it could transform the state, but alleged that current governance falls dramatically short of this potential.
The Leader of Opposition concluded by accusing the state government of failing to match its claims with actual achievements across governance, policing, employment generation, and social justice sectors. He called for immediate corrective measures to address what he described as systemic failures affecting multiple aspects of public life in Uttar Pradesh.
