Akhilesh says merge Lohia, Ambedkar ideology to oust BJP; inducts BSP leaders

Accusing the Yogi Adityanath government of not fulfilling its promise on laptop distribution of laptops, Akhilesh said a CM should not be someone who doesn’t know to operate laptops.

As prominent Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) veterans Ram Achal Rajbhar and Lalji Verma formally joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) on Sunday, its president Akhilesh Yadav said there was a need to bring together the ideologies of both BR Ambedkar and Ram Manohar Lohia to oust the BJP from power in the state.

Addressing a Janadesh rally in Ambedkarnagar district, Akhilesh assured the two former BSP leaders and their supporters that they would be accorded due respect in his party. In a veiled reference to the alliance with the BSP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh said it was his party’s attempt to combine the ideologies of Ambedkar and Lohia.

He added, “Both Ambedkar and Lohia wanted a change and ensure honour for those who were disappointed over thousands of years and lived in discrimination… That [SP-BSP alliance] was an attempt of Samajwadis [socialists] but we did not achieve success. Once the ideologies of Ambedkar and Lohia get combined, the BJP will be out of power in UP.”

Telling Rajbhar and Verma, who were present on the dais, not to be disappointed, Akhilesh said: “You have spent a life to strengthen one particular ideology. Now, you are with the Samajwadis. I assure you that we Samajwadis will give you honour and make your dreams come true.” The former chief minister also coined a new slogan – “Pichdon ka inquilab hoga aur 22 mein badlao hoga [There will be a revolution by the OBCs and there will be a change in the 2022 elections]”.

Accusing the Yogi Adityanath government of not fulfilling its promises on employment and distribution of laptops,  the SP president told the youth of the state that their chief minister should not be someone who does not know to operate laptops. “…since he [Adityanath] does not know to operate laptops, he did not distribute laptops. Who will accept that our baba chief minister operates laptop?… aur hum to kehte hain ek din ho jaye. Laptop lekar aao, bulldozer lekar mat aao. Laptop lekar aao. Aur hum to samajwadi log hain laptop bhi chala lenge aur samay padega to bulldozer bhi chala lenge [I challenge, it should happen one day, come with a laptop, not a bulldozer. And we are Samajwadis. We will operate laptops and if required we can drive bulldozers as well].”

Targeting the BJP government over rising fuel prices, Akhilesh said, “Due to price rise, Ujjawala Yojna [Ujjawala LPG connection distribution scheme] has become bujjhawala yojna [extinguished]. Things are under government control. Prices have come down after they [BJP] lost in the by-polls… When they will lose in UP, prices will come down further.”

The SP chief promised that a government of his party would shelter the poor, weavers and all other sections of the society from inflation. Akhilesh also said that the upcoming elections would be fought to safeguard the Constitution, democracy, provide people relief from inflation and create jobs for the youth. He alleged that before elections the BJP solicits votes from the poor and “notes [currency]” from industrialists. “What will happen to our rights? They are playing at the hands of the industrialists,” he said, accusing the Centreof selling government properties.

The former CM also accused the BJP government of defaming India globally through its poor management of the Covid-19 pandemic. Uttar Pradesh also tops the list of custodial deaths, he added.


Reminding people that the fifth anniversary of demonetisation was on Monday, Akhilesh said the BJP government should tell people how much black money had been returned to the exchequer following the move.

Recalling the violence in Lakhimpur Kheri, Yadav said farmers would not get justice as long as the BJP remains in power. “Who does not know that farmers were mowed down in Lakhimpur… The triple-engine government mowed down farmers… The Central government, the UP government and a minister of government who is in Lakhimpur. Three engines mowed down farmers. Farmers are not getting justice. Till the time they [BJP] will be in government, we do not hope justice for farmers.”

Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish was arrested last month after a convoy of SUVs crushed four farmers and a journalist in Tikonia in Lakhimpur Kheri. Ashish was allegedly in one of the cars.

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