Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at the excavation work taking place in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, humorously claiming that there may be a “Shivling” beneath the residence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as well.
Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav said, “Since the excavation work is underway, I believe that there is a Shivling at the Chief Minister’s residence too. We have faith that the Shivling is there. We should all prepare for its excavation. The media should go first; we will join after that,” drawing laughter from the audience.
Yadav’s comments come as excavation work in Sambhal entered its ninth day. The SP leader further accused the BJP government of using the excavation as a diversion tactic to mask its failures, stating that the ruling party is trying to shift focus from the public’s pressing issues.
“The BJP government is carrying out excavation work at various places to hide its failure and divert attention,” he said.
During the conference, Yadav criticized the BJP-led state government for the alleged deterioration of Uttar Pradesh under its governance. He pointed out that Uttar Pradesh is at the top in borrowing and debt, claiming that the state’s treasury had been emptied.
He also raised concerns about the well-being of farmers, asking, “Has the income of farmers doubled?” He accused the government of cheating farmers and destroying properties by illegally demolishing homes with bulldozers. “This is not development but destruction,” Yadav added.
The SP chief also condemned the current administration for failing to implement any significant developmental projects, citing issues like rising prices, unemployment, and dishonesty. These, he said, have led to growing discontent among farmers and youth in the state.
The controversy over the excavation in Sambhal began when an official from Chandausi municipality revealed that a stepwell, which had been covered for years, had been discovered after the reopening of a Shiv-Hanuman temple that had been closed for 46 years. The official said the surrounding encroachments would be cleared to protect the historical structure. The excavation is being carried out under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India to ensure the preservation of the site.
The Samajwadi Party has been vocal against the ongoing excavation, raising concerns over the political motives behind the operation. This aggression was also seen during the winter session of Parliament, where SP MPs staged protests over the violence in Sambhal.
