4 min readLucknowUpdated: Mar 30, 2026 01:24 PM IST
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav pays floral tribute to a statue of Emperor Mihir Bhoj during a rally, in Dadri, Gautam Buddh Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, Sunday. PTI
Sounding the bugle for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Sunday announced welfare measures targeted at women. Yadav said an SP government would launch the ‘Istri Samman Samriddhi Yojana’, under which women would receive Rs 40,000 annually.
“Jab Maharashtra, MP aur Bengal de sakte hain, to Uttar Pradesh kyon nahi (If Maharashtra, MP and Bengal can, then why not Uttar Pradesh)?” he asked.
Accusing the ruling government of failing the youth, citing repeated paper leak controversies, Yadav promised to link education and training to jobs and reiterated that schemes like the Samajwadi Pension would be revived.
Addressing a gathering at Mihir Bhoj Degree College in Dadri, Yadav began by paying tribute to the statue of the 9th-century ruler, invoking him as a symbol of regional pride. “Today, I have got the opportunity to pay tribute to the statue of Gujjar Emperor Mihir Bhoj,” he said, describing the region as a “land of self-respect and struggle”. Referring to local icons like Vijay Singh Pathik and Kotwal Dhan Singh, he further promised a memorial and to construct their statues in Lucknow alongside the riverfront if his party was elected.
The choice of venue – linked to Mihir Bhoj, whose legacy has been at the centre of a Gujjar-Rajput dispute – comes as the SP attempts to consolidate Gujjar support in the region.
Invoking the PDA plank repeatedly, Yadav framed it as a broader social movement. “Jo peedit hain, vanchit hain, wahi PDA hain,” he said, adding that the Constitution remains the strongest safeguard for the majority. “Samvidhan hi hamara sabse bada suraksha kavach hai, ise bachana hoga (The Constitution is our biggest protection, we would have to save it),” said Yadav, adding that the Constitution would never be safe till the BJP-led government is there.
On Jewar airport
He then targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over “false promises”, alleging that the Jewar airport was inaugurated while it was still incomplete.
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Targeting the PM’s rally in Noida a day earlier, Yadav questioned the focus on inaugurations, particularly of infrastructure projects like the Jewar airport. Taking a swipe at the issue of ‘price rise’, he added, “Such a huge rally was held yesterday, but not a word was spoken on gas cylinder.”
“Yeh BJP dal nahi, dryclean ki dukan hai,” alleging that corrupt leaders join the party to “get cleaned”. He added, “More announcements, less work – this has become their identity.”
The SP chief also alleged that farmers were “cheated” during land acquisition for the first phase, and promised that compensation for future phases would be ensured at market rates and displaced families would receive developed plots as per norms.
‘Fake encounters, false cases’
Yadav also targeted the government over alleged “fake encounters”, claiming that one of the early victims of a fake encounter under the current regime was a Gujjar youth.
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He also alleged misuse of agencies and “false cases” against party workers and supporters. The former Uttar Pradesh CM criticised schemes like Agniveer, adding, “Aisi yojnaon ko samapt karenge jo yuvaon ka bhavishya surakshit nahi karti (We are going to finish such schemes that don’t secure the future of the youth).”
Recalling his earlier outreach, Yadav mentioned the 2011 cycle yatra from Noida to Agra paved the way for his full majority government in Uttar Pradesh in 2012 and also credited previous SP governments for metro connectivity between Delhi, Noida, and Greater Noida.
Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More
