Lucknow: In a political move that electrified the heart of Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav fired the first salvo in what’s becoming a pitched ideological battle over the Kanwar Yatra. Accusing the BJP government of “betraying Shiva devotees,” Akhilesh announced that under a future SP government, a grand Kanwar Corridor which will be fully stocked with food, rest shelters, and modern amenities would be built at a cost of ₹1,000 crore.
The announcement didn’t just rattle political corridors, it provoked a fiery rebuttal from Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, who accused Akhilesh of hypocrisy, recalling past incidents and alleging anti-Hindu bias. “There shall be no path for you in politics until 2047” Maurya snapped, attempting to bury the challenge under decades of political irrelevance.
But Akhilesh wasn’t backing down. Poised and sharp, he countered, “BJP has ruled the Centre for 11 years and UP for 9, yet hasn’t built a single Kanwar corridor. Is this how you honour devotion?” He accused BJP of spreading hate under the guise of devotion and using religion as a political weapon while neglecting genuine welfare.
Framing himself as the face of modern, inclusive Hindutva, Akhilesh declared, “True Sanatan is about justice, compassion, and dignity, not hatred, fear, and control.”
In a veiled jab at CM Yogi, he added, “Merely wearing robes doesn't make one a yogi.”
As the political novel of Uttar Pradesh unfolds, Akhilesh’s timely remarks has placed him on odds with the BJP’s core pro hindutva narrative.
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