Akhilesh Yadav clashes with BJP over barricades at Lucknow's JP Narayan Centre

PTC News Desk: A significant clash unfolded in Lucknow as Samajwadi Party (SP) workers were forcibly detained by police following allegations from party chief Akhilesh Yadav that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had installed barricades and tin sheets at the entrance of the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) to obstruct his entry.

Yadav had intended to visit the JPNIC on Thursday night to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan, celebrated on October 11.

Escalation of Tensions

In a heated exchange, the BJP dismissed Yadav's claims as "childish," and took a jab at the SP, referring to it as a "fused transformer."

Akhilesh Yadav and other SP leaders climbed the barricades positioned outside his residence to protest against the installation of the tin sheets at the JPNIC gate. They waved party flags and displayed posters honoring Jayaprakash Narayan. Amid a heavy police presence, Yadav also paid homage to a statue of Narayan situated outside his home, adorning it with garlands.

Call to Nitish Kumar

During his speech, Yadav urged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key figure from the JP movement, to withdraw support from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

He emphasised, “Many socialists are part of the government, enabling it to persist. Nitish Kumar emerged from the Jai Prakash Narayan movement. This is a critical moment for him to reconsider his alliance with a government that is obstructing tributes to Jai Prakash Narayan on his birth anniversary.”

Allegations against the BJP government

Upon his visit to the JPNIC, Yadav accused the BJP administration of concealing something by erecting the tin sheets before the centre’s gate. He stated, “The JPNIC serves as a museum for socialists and houses the statue of Jayaprakash Narayan. It contains exhibits that help us understand socialism.” He further questioned, “What is the government trying to hide with these tin sheets? Are they preparing to sell the property or hand it over to someone else?”

In a video shared on social media, Akhilesh Yadav was seen instructing a painter to inscribe 'Samajwadi Party Zindabad' (Long live Samajwadi Party) on the tin sheets. The SP also released a clip showing workers erecting the tin sheets at the JPNIC gate, accusing the BJP of undermining democracy.

The SP expressed their discontent on X, stating, “The ineffectual BJP government continuously attacks democracy. This anti-people government has insulted great leaders by neglecting development work like the JPNIC in Lucknow. Socialists will not yield to these dictatorial measures!” They characterized the tin sheet barricade as an example of the BJP's "dirty politics."

Yadav's critique of the BJP

In a subsequent post on X, Yadav criticised the BJP's governance, labeling it the "ostentatious Amrit Kaal of freedom" and described the barricading as a manifestation of the party’s "closed thinking."

He asserted, “The BJP harbors animosity towards every freedom fighter, including Jayaprakash Narayan ji, who played a crucial role in our country’s struggle for independence. The guilt within the BJP, stemming from their members' lack of participation in the freedom movement, prevents them from paying tribute to revolutionaries on their birth anniversaries. This is utterly condemnable!”

This isn’t the first time Akhilesh Yadav faced such obstacles; last year, he was forced to climb over the gate of the JPNIC to pay tribute to the statue of Jayaprakash Narayan located on the premises.

Security concerns and official notices

In the midst of the ongoing barricading controversy, the Lucknow Development Authority issued a notice regarding Yadav's planned visit to the JPNIC on the birth anniversary of Jayaprakash Narayan. The notice cited safety concerns, stating that the JPNIC site was cluttered with construction materials, raising the risk of accidents and insect infestations due to recent rains.

The notice added that as Yadav is under Z-plus category security, it was neither safe nor appropriate for him to visit the JPNIC and pay homage to the statue.

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Police restrictions

In light of the rising tensions, the Lucknow Police implemented traffic restrictions around the JPNIC. Barricades were erected at the main entrance, and police personnel were deployed to prevent unauthorised access to the site. To prepare for potential protests from the Samajwadi Party, police vehicles equipped with tear gas shells and water cannons were stationed outside the gate.

Additionally, a contingent from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and a specialized women’s police force were deployed to maintain order. Barricades were also used to close off access to roads leading to Akhilesh Yadav's residence.

BJP's response

In response to the events, Uttar Pradesh Minister Suresh Khanna derisively referred to the Samajwadi Party as a "fused transformer," suggesting that voters would prefer a functioning party like the BJP. BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla criticized Yadav's actions, describing them as childish and questioning the need for secrecy among Samajwadi Party leaders who, he claimed, only operated at night.

Notably, Akhilesh Yadav had previously inaugurated the JPNIC during his tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. However, work on the facility was halted after the BJP assumed power in the state in 2017. The JPNIC includes the Jayaprakash Narayan Interpretation Centre, which serves as a museum dedicated to the leader's legacy.

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