LUCKNOW, India — Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav on Friday leveled severe allegations against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing the state government of misusing public funds worth ₹7,000 crore on image-building exercises.
Key Highlights
- Akhilesh Yadav claimed ₹7,000 crore of taxpayer money was spent on public relations to project a false narrative.
- The Samajwadi Party chief argued these funds could have established multiple world-class educational institutions.
- The BJP defended the expenditure, stating the Information Department routinely advertises public welfare schemes to build citizen awareness.
Opposition Questions PR Allocation Amid Economic Challenges
In a detailed statement shared on social media platform X, the former Chief Minister characterized the expenditure as “highly objectionable” and “utterly condemnable.” Yadav emphasized that Uttar Pradesh, as the nation’s most populous state, continues to face significant social and economic hurdles that require priority funding.
He noted that critical public sectors—including agricultural Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees, employment generation, rural road infrastructure, healthcare, and reliable power supply—require immediate capital infusion rather than promotional spending.
Alternative Allocation Proposed for Education Sector
Outlining an alternative development vision, Yadav suggested that the allocated funds could have funded transformative educational projects across the state.
“With this very amount, we would establish two-three world-class universities offering education from ‘KG to PG & Research’ to transform the future of our children and youth, and would steer UP onto the path of progress and prosperity and build a ‘Neo India’!”
BJP Defends Publicity Drive as Standard Governance Practice
Responding to the allegations, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Vijay Bahadur Pathak dismissed the criticism, maintaining that the state’s Information Department operates under established government protocols.
Pathak clarified that public outreach campaigns are designed to increase awareness regarding state-sponsored welfare programs, ensuring benefits reach targeted populations efficiently. He noted that featuring the sitting Chief Minister’s photograph in public notices is a traditional administrative practice followed across successive administrations, including previous Samajwadi Party tenures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core allegation made by Akhilesh Yadav against the UP government?
The Samajwadi Party chief alleged that the state government spent ₹7,000 crore of public funds on promotional activities and image projection instead of direct welfare measures.
How did the Bharatiya Janata Party respond to these claims?
The BJP stated that the expenditure covers routine Information Department advertisements designed to inform citizens about ongoing government schemes and welfare benefits.
