Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 27 : Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Thursday lashed out at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his recent promise of financial allowances for women, pointing out that the former chief minister neglected marginalised classes during his five-year tenure.
Speaking to ANI, Om Prakash Rajbhar reacted to the at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's poll promises while contrasting them with governance efforts.
He said, "Akhilesh Yadav was the Chief Minister for five years. During those five years, he did not see the backward classes, Dalits, women, or the youth. Today, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative, aimed at providing employment to enable every woman to earn Rs 1 lakh annually, it was in the context of elections in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Bihar, and now Uttar Pradesh. Under the promise made, funds are being transferred to women's accounts to facilitate employment..."
On Wednesday, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked the BJP over its record of women's safety, stating that it talks about "Nari Vandan" (honouring women) but people will not forget the Hathras case.
Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav also questioned the Central government over the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, 2023.
Meanwhile, Yadav shifted his focus to the party's manifesto for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2027, and announced, "This is a pledge for the complete freedom of the 'half population' (women). Along with Stree Samman Samriddhi Yojana, we will work to provide them with Rs 40,000 annually. This amount will also increase in the future."
He also pledged to revive the party's laptop distribution scheme for students.
"The Samajwadi Party government had distributed laptops in the past as well. Those laptops are still in use today. We distributed laptops at a time when technology was not yet widespread. We will provide laptops to daughters who have passed their Intermediate exams. We will eliminate the sense of insecurity," he said.
His remarks set the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in Uttar Pradesh next year, with the ruling BJP looking to secure a third consecutive term against a Samajwadi Party seeking to reclaim power.