‘First Reform Your Own People’: Akhilesh Yadav’s Scathing Attack On BJP’s ‘Drug-Free’ Promise

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav harshly criticized the BJP on Sunday for its "drug-free" campaign, urging the party to first tackle drug issues in Uttar Pradesh before preaching about eradication in Punjab. In a series of posts on X, Yadav argued that the BJP should "prioritize the 'vegetarian' Uttar Pradesh" in its quest for a drug-free society, invoking the adage "reform your own people before preaching to others."

He maintained that this approach is "pointed and targeted" and highlights political maneuvering between Delhi and Lucknow, with Punjab serving as a battleground.

Yadav alleged that the BJP's drug eradication claims were part of a broader political rivalry between the two Uttar Pradesh-based political entities, using the Chandigarh mayoral election controversy as an example. He also questioned the BJP's ability to compete in Punjab, citing the party's low popularity there. Furthermore, Yadav criticized the BJP's so-called "double-engine" government model, describing it as an "engine colliding with itself, becoming a trouble engine."

The Samajwadi Party chief drew parallels between the BJP's drug-free promise and its previous pledges to make India corruption-free, inflation-free, and eliminate black money. He contended that the public has now decided to seek "freedom from the BJP." In a separate post, Yadav listed 50 allegations against the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, covering corruption, law and order, unemployment, inflation, farmers' issues, caste discrimination, alleged misuse of government agencies, failure to protect women and farmers, workers, and small businesses, as well as corruption in infrastructure and recruitment.