Akhilesh Yadav's Remark On PM Modi's Varanasi Visit Draws Backlash From BJP And Netizens Ahead Of UP Elections 2022

With the UP 2022 assembly elections being around the corner, the political corridors of Uttar Pradesh seem all raked with never-ending controversies.

In another such instance, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, on Monday (13 December), made an unparliamentary remark at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Varanasi for the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor (KVC). Yadav made the remark during an interaction with the media in Etawah.

When asked about PM Modi’s Varanasi visit and the month-long celebrations following the inauguration of the KVC, Yadav said: "Very good, why only a month? He can stay there for two months, three months. That place is meant to live during the last days, the last days are spent in Varanasi only".

The reply indicates that he may have misunderstood the question and assumed that PM would be staying in Varanasi for a month. This comment, even if not intended, means that PM Modi is living the last few days of his life, and like many Hindus do, he should spend this period of his life in Varanasi.

The SP sympathisers are covering up for Yadav’s “below the belt” remarks on the PM, offering explanations such as he was referring to his political opponent’s last few days in power in the state, and not about the last time of his life. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and netizens don't seem convinced and Akhilesh Yadav is being widely condemned for his distasteful remarks.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, taking a dig at the SP chief said, “All ‘Aurangzebs’ have lost their minds after seeing the divinity and grandeur of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham.” UP BJP additional election incharge Arvind Menon said that Akhilesh Yadav should have at least respected the Prime Minister’s age, if not the office.

BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh called Yadav’s comment on PM Modi as utterly shameful. “It shows that he is unable to digest the rejuvenation of Kashi and the growing pride in Indian culture.” He further said that the mindset of the SP president is akin to the ideology of those who opened fire on Ram Bhakts, and similar to that of Aurangzeb, who damaged the cultural heritage of India. “He should have darshan of Baba Vishwanath. May Baba Vishwanath give him wisdom,” exclaimed Singh.

“The reverence shown by the state and the country towards PM Modi has enraged the ‘Jinnahwadis’, and that is why he is making such indecent remarks,” said Union Education Minister and UP BJP election incharge Dharmendra Pradhan in a tweet. UP Cabinet Minister Siddharth Nath Singh criticised Yadav along similar lines as he said that Akhilesh doesn’t take pride in India’s cultural heritage and is inspired by the ‘Jinnah culture’.

Yadav’s remark doesn’t bode well with netizens who took to social media and ran the trend “#AkhileshMaafiMaango” (Akhilesh do apologise).

“In brief, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav wish PM Modi dead. What does this perversity reflect? His upbringing? His party SaPa? His lack of scruples and absence of values? His fetish for Jinnah? His itch to tickle Islamist fancies? All this and more?,” wrote veteran journalist Kanchan Gupta, in a tweet sharing the viral video.