Lucknow/Gorakhpur, March 25 Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday criticized Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over claims that the state is now free of "mafia and mosquitoes", alleging that corruption persists under the current government.
In a post on X, Yadav said "those in power have freed themselves from prosecution by granting self-pardons" while accusing them of indulging in the very practices they once blamed on others.
Sharing a media report carrying Adityanath's remarks on the state being free of "mafia and mosquitoes", the former chief minister further alleged that their corruption is bleeding the public dry, mocking the statements made by the ruling party leaders.
Responding to Yadav's remarks, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, speaking in Gorakhpur, said that "fear has been buried" in Uttar Pradesh and corruption eliminated.
"If someone dreams while sleeping, that is different. But Akhilesh ji seems to be dreaming even while awake. Perhaps he is being reminded of his own tenure," Chouhan said when asked about Yadav's statements.
The Union minister was addressing a tribute programme at Bhimrao Ambedkar Kanya Inter College in Jungle Kaudia under the Maniram assembly segment, held to mark the 30th death anniversary of former MLA Om Prakash Paswan.
Highlighting the changes in the state, Chouhan said UP has emerged as an "engine of the nation's development" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Adityanath.
He alleged that during the Samajwadi Party's tenure, the state was marked by poor infrastructure, waterlogging, filth and lawlessness. "That era of fear, crime and corruption is now over," he said.
He also cited infrastructure developments, including projects like the upcoming Jewar airport, as examples of the state's progress, and accused opposition parties of opposing issues of national interest out of frustration.
Chouhan also highlighted the cultural significance of the Gorakhpur region and paid tribute to former MLA Paswan, noting that his family members are continuing his legacy of public service.