Akhilesh Yadav Criticizes BJP Over Barricading at Jayaprakash Narayan Centre

In a political confrontation in Lucknow, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh is preventing him from accessing the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) by erecting tin sheets in front of its main gate. Yadav visited the JPNIC on Thursday night, marking the birth anniversary of the noted socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan.

Addressing reporters at the site, Akhilesh Yadav raised concerns about the reasons behind the installation of barricades by the state government. “This JPNIC is the museum of socialists and has the statue of Jayaprakash Narayan. There are things inside on how we can understand socialism,” Yadav stated. He further queried, “What is the government hiding by erecting these tin sheds? Is it possible that they are getting ready to sell it, or want to give it to someone?”

The Samajwadi Party chief suggested that the obstructions might be a sign of undisclosed plans for the JPNIC, questioning the government’s intentions. He commented on the current situation, asserting, “We will decide the programme tomorrow (on Friday). For how long will they keep it barred behind tin sheds?”

In a video circulated online, Yadav can be seen requesting a painter to inscribe ‘Samajwadi Party Zindabad’ (Long live Samajwadi Party) on the tin barriers. The political party also released footage purportedly capturing workers setting up the barricades, subsequently accusing the BJP of undermining democratic principles.

This incident echoes a similar event from the previous year, where Akhilesh Yadav resorted to climbing over the JPNIC gate in Gomti Nagar to place a garland on a statue of Jayaprakash Narayan.