Lucknow witnessed a sharp political jab from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday during an iftar gathering. Targeting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to enter the Rajya Sabha, Yadav quipped that his party had grander ambitions for the veteran leader. ‘We wanted Nitish Kumar to become Prime Minister, but now he’ll retire as a Rajya Sabha member,’ he remarked to reporters, dripping with sarcasm.
The comments came amid a broader conversation on political maneuvers. Yadav asserted that those familiar with the game of politics knew from day one what the Bharatiya Janata Party’s strategy would be. He recalled past statements where the Samajwadi Party had rallied for Kumar’s elevation to the top job, only to see him opt for an upper house seat instead.
Shifting gears, Yadav commented on West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose’s resignation, hinting at more to come. ‘Who knows how many more resignations will follow? Expect a wave after elections in Bengal and Uttar Pradesh,’ he predicted, fueling speculation about internal party frictions.
The iftar event itself drew praise from Yadav, who thanked organizer Maulana Sahab for fostering communal harmony. ‘This is the true spirit of India, where we join each other’s festivals. Our Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb embodies unity across faiths, religions, and communities living peacefully together,’ he said, highlighting cultural syncretism.
On the controversy surrounding Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand, Yadav issued a stern warning. ‘If this can happen to a Shankaracharya today, it could happen to anyone tomorrow. The government is ruling through fear and humiliation. Imagine the pain when false cases are slapped on such revered figures. No previous regime ever disrespected a Shankaracharya like this,’ he appealed to the nation.
Addressing queries on global conflicts, the SP leader reaffirmed his party’s pacifist stance. ‘We have never supported war. It brings only destruction and tragedy. Samajwadi Party stands firmly against it,’ he concluded, wrapping up a session packed with pointed critiques and calls for unity.