UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday (July 23) launched a sharp attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of using students and youth for political gains. Speaking in Lucknow, Yogi questioned the Opposition’s stand on student issues and revisited allegations related to recruitment during the previous Samajwadi Party government.
His remarks came as Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi joined a protest in Delhi over issues concerning students and youth.
Yogi Questions Opposition’s Stand on Students
Addressing a public event and an administrative review meeting in Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath said the leaders protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar had a history of irregularities in government recruitment.
He alleged that the Samajwadi Party government appointed an unqualified person as the chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). He also claimed that recruitment during that period lacked transparency and fairness.
Yogi said those who now claim to support students had earlier denied opportunities to deserving candidates through biased recruitment practices.
Revives UPPSC Recruitment Allegations
The Chief Minister referred to a recruitment drive for 86 Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) posts during the Samajwadi Party government.
He said that 56 of the selected candidates belonged to a single caste, while many deserving and meritorious aspirants failed to secure jobs.
Yogi also claimed that a candidate who had secured a third division in high school topped the SDM examination during the previous regime. He used the example to question the credibility of recruitment conducted under the Samajwadi Party government.
Takes Aim at Delhi Protest
Yogi also criticised the recent protest at Jantar Mantar, where Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav participated and were briefly detained during a march toward the PM’s residence.
He described the protest as a political event rather than a genuine student movement. According to Yogi, the Samajwadi Party and Congress organised the demonstration to regain political relevance after electoral setbacks.
He also alleged that party workers created disruption during the protest and caused inconvenience to the public and students.
Comparing Recruitment Under the BJP Government
Highlighting his government’s record, Yogi said Uttar Pradesh has conducted all government recruitments since 2017 on the basis of merit.
He claimed the recruitment process under the BJP government remained free from bribery, political recommendations and caste-based discrimination.
The Chief Minister said his government has focused on transparency and equal opportunities for all candidates.
Attack on SP’s PDA Narrative
People see Yogi’s reference to the “56 out of 86” recruitment claim as a direct attack on Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) political strategy.
By bringing up alleged recruitment irregularities from the Samajwadi Party’s tenure, Yogi attempted to counter the Opposition’s campaign on youth and employment. The issue is also expected to feature prominently in the run-up to the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
