New Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday criticised the government over massive traffic congestion at the Maha Kumbh, saying that people were stuck in a 300km-long jam. He also accused the government of prioritising image-building over providing necessary facilities to devotees.
Yadav was speaking in Lok Sabha during a discussion on Union Budget. He also questioned the government’s narrative on the Kumbh Mela, calling it false propaganda that “it was happening after 144 years”.
Yadav questions arrangements for Maha Kumbh
“Is this the vision of a developed India? Every city was asked to restrict movement, and all borders to Prayagraj were sealed,” he said. Akhilesh Yadav further questioned the government’s priorities, saying, “What is the use of reaching the moon if the problems on the ground remain ignored?”
He also raised concerns over the Digital India initiative, asking about the number of lives lost or people displaced due to administrative failures, while the government remained focused on advertising campaigns.
Yadav also called the Budget “targeted and focused” and lacking a clear roadmap. Yadav also alleged that soon after the budget was presented, people were metaphorically “chained and shackled”.
Akhilesh accuses govt of promoting propaganda
Referring to the traffic congestion caused by Kumbh Mela, Yadav said that “people were stuck in a 300-kilometre-long jam” and eventually BJP workers were brought in to control the chaos. According to reports, highways to Prayagraj were chocked for several hours. Around 8,000 vehicles were entering Prayagraj on Monday. Devotees in large numbers are visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela site for Maghi Purnima snan on Wednesday.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, while countering his criticism, accused him of being “anti-Hindu”. While dismissing his claims, Dubey also called his remarks politically motivated.
Several other opposition leaders also targeted the government over rising inflation, unemployment, and widening income inequality. They also alleged that the Union Budget failed to address the concerns of the poor and rural population. The opposition leaders also claimed that the budget was designed with the upcoming Delhi elections in mind, rather than focusing on the broader economic challenges facing the country.
