Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, Sep 12: Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has issued a stern warning that India could witness Nepal-style street protests if alleged “vote theft” during elections is not curbed. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Yadav accused both the Election Commission and the ruling BJP of undermining democratic processes by failing to ensure free and fair elections.
“The Election Commission should make sure that no vote theft takes place. Otherwise, what we are seeing in our neighborhood may happen here as well,” Yadav said, referencing the ongoing political unrest in Nepal, where anti-corruption protests have turned violent.
He further stressed that the poll body must operate in compliance with Supreme Court directives and not act as a puppet of the ruling party. “The Election Commission will have to work as per the order of the Supreme Court. It cannot become the BJP’s jugaad commission,” he said sharply.
Commenting on Nepal’s internal crisis, Yadav said the unrest there was being driven by poverty, unemployment, and inflation, and that India should focus on maintaining peace both within and along its borders. “In the age of social media, many narratives emerge. We cannot judge the situation by looking at just one aspect. But our priority should be ensuring peace in neighboring countries and on our own borders,” he noted.
Yadav didn’t hold back on domestic issues either, slamming the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh for rampant corruption, rising crime, and what he termed “digital arrests.”
“People are dying by consuming poison outside the Chief Minister’s residence. In Panchayati Raj, a 60 per cent commission is rampant. BJP leaders are hollow; they have no real work. The Sikh community, by contrast, has made its mark through courage and hard work,” he said, taking a dig at the ruling party's governance record.
Yadav’s comments come amid a fresh wave of criticism from the opposition over electoral fairness. His ally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, recently accused the BJP of vote theft during his visit to Raebareli, claiming the ruling party was panicking in the face of growing public dissent and exposure.
The statements from both leaders point to a growing chorus of opposition voices raising concerns about the integrity of India’s electoral process as the political landscape heats up ahead of the next round of elections.