Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday launched a broadside against the ruling BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that corruption has made it difficult for honest officials to perform their duties and forced some to quit before retirement.

Reacting to the resignation of IAS officer Divya Mittal, SP supremo Yadav criticised the language used by the government and claimed that officials committed to working honestly were increasingly unwilling or unable to continue in service.

“Honest officers do not wish to work due to corruption. They are not allowed to function. Honest officers are unable to do their jobs,” Yadav said. He claimed that several officers known for working with integrity were leaving government service before completing their tenure.

Yadav condemns alleged torture of farmer leaders

Yadav also criticised the alleged assault and “third-degree torture” of farmer leaders Digvijay Bhati and Mohit Jatav while they were in police custody in Meerut. The two men also recounted their alleged ordeal from the stage.

Yadav advised them to approach the courts and promised that they would receive “justice and respect” if the SP returned to power.

He alleged that the two had suffered serious injuries but had not been permitted to undergo a medical examination. Yadav further claimed that, if the rule of law prevailed, an attempt-to-murder case under Section 307 should be registered against the IPS officer allegedly involved.

“Such an IPS officer has no right to remain in service,” he said.

BJP under attack over law and order, public assets

Turning his attack towards the BJP, Yadav alleged that incidents of dacoity and looting were rampant in Uttar Pradesh and questioned whether the government could ensure women’s safety and dignity.

He accused the government of selling public assets, naming the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC), Chhatar Manzil in Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh’s first cow milk plant in Kannauj.

Yadav alleged that the government intended to generate revenue from JPNIC’s parking facility and café. He also claimed that money meant for a former Prime Minister’s statue had previously been misappropriated, alleging that a statue claimed to have been made of copper was eventually found to be made of clay.

“This government will sell everything off,” he said.

Caste census, jobs and women’s benefits

Yadav went on to say that the Khangar community had not received adequate employment opportunities and reiterated his demand for a nationwide caste census. He promised that the Samajwadi Party would ensure the community received recognition proportionate to its population.

He also said the party would support Khangar candidates wherever they chose to contest elections and promised to install a statue of a Khangar community king at a prominent location on Lucknow’s riverfront.

Elaborating on employment, Yadav questioned the government’s promise of one lakh jobs, asking how recruitment would be completed once the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force after January.

He also said women who had earlier received ₹500 would be given ₹40,000 if the Samajwadi Party formed the government.

‘Public will uproot’ BJP, says Yadav

Yadav accused the BJP government of having no solution to problems ranging from water supply and drainage to infrastructure and governance.

He alleged “rampant plunder” across departments and criticised the construction of a riverfront over what he described as a drain. He said the public would eventually “uproot” what he termed narrow-minded and negative forces.