"BJP is 'Bharatiya Zameen Party'": Akhilesh Yadav Slams Land Acquisition
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav calls BJP the 'Bharatiya Zameen Party' and demands market-value compensation for farmers in Uttar Pradesh.
In a scathing attack on the ruling government, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of acting like a "land mafia." Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow on Monday, the SP leader alleged that the BJP is practicing blatant discrimination against farmers regarding land acquisition for the Aligarh-Moradabad Greenfield Access-Controlled Expressway.
Yadav went as far as to rename the ruling party, calling it the "Bharatiya Zameen Party" (Indian Land Party), claiming that it is leading the way in land grabbing across the state.
Demand for Market-Value Compensation
A central point of Yadav's grievance is the compensation being offered to farmers whose land is being taken for the new expressway project. He argued that the current compensation rates are insufficient and do not reflect the true worth of the land.
"We demand that for the Aligarh-Moradabad Greenfield Access-Controlled Expressway, the circle rates should be raised to reflect the actual market value," Yadav stated. He emphasized that if the government is acquiring land for the purpose of an industrial corridor, it is only fair that farmers receive compensation based on real market prices rather than outdated circle rates.
Questioning the Government's Land Recovery Claims
The Samajwadi Party leader also challenged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's previous assertions regarding the state's crackdown on illegal encroachments. Yadav questioned why the land reclaimed by the government is not being utilized for economic development.
He pointed out the following contradictions:
- The Chief Minister has claimed that 84,000 hectares of land have been reclaimed from the mafia.
- Yadav asked why this massive amount of land is not being used to establish an industrial corridor.
- He questioned why the government continues to snatch land from farmers if they have already successfully recovered vast tracts from illegal occupants.
Broad Attacks on Employment and Social Policy
Beyond the expressway issue, Akhilesh Yadav launched a multi-pronged attack on the state government, touching upon unemployment, education, and social harmony. He accused the administration of failing the nation's youth over the last decade.
Key accusations made by the SP Chief included:
- Unemployment: He claimed the government has failed to provide government jobs, citing paper leaks and the removal of reservations as major hurdles for the youth.
- Madrasa Discrimination: Yadav alleged that the government is targeting Madrasas and attempting to divide society through such measures, promising that these issues would be resolved under a Samajwadi Party rule.
- Teacher and Advocate Welfare: He accused the government of deceiving teachers and advocates under the guise of "cashless" systems and withholding honorariums meant for un-aided institutions.
Concluding his address, Yadav stated that the current government's primary agenda appears to be the spread of hatred and the widening of social rifts, rather than focusing on the actual needs of the citizens.