Samajwadi Party (SP) President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has launched a scathing attack on the current Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing him of deliberately avoiding face-to-face interactions with farmers across the state. Yadav's remarks come amid ongoing concerns raised by various farmer groups regarding rising input costs, delayed procurement, loan issues, and inadequate minimum support prices.
Addressing party workers and local media during a public outreach event, Akhilesh Yadav said, “The Chief Minister does not have the courage to meet the farmers on the ground. He avoids direct dialogue and prefers staying away from the real issues affecting rural Uttar Pradesh.”
Yadav criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government for its alleged failure to resolve long-standing agricultural problems. He claimed that farmers are struggling under the burden of increasing fuel and fertilizer prices, while many are still waiting for full payment for crops procured by state agencies.
The SP leader further added that governance cannot be run from air-conditioned offices and social media platforms. “Real leadership requires engagement with the people, especially those who feed the nation. But unfortunately, this government is more focused on image management than actual problem-solving,” Yadav said.
According to Yadav, the voices of farmers have been consistently ignored, despite multiple protests and appeals. He also highlighted recent farmer agitations and alleged that the state administration responded with indifference and suppression rather than dialogue.
Akhilesh Yadav also reminded people of the promises made by the BJP during its election campaigns, including doubling farmers’ income and ensuring timely payments. “What happened to those promises?” he asked, accusing the ruling party of betraying the trust of farmers. He added that his party would continue to stand with farmers and raise their issues both inside and outside the legislature.
In response, BJP leaders have maintained that the state government is working for farmers' welfare through various schemes like PM-KISAN, increased procurement centers, and improved irrigation facilities. They also claim that the opposition is trying to politicize farmer issues for electoral gains.
However, political analysts say that the perception of distance between the government and the farming community could have political consequences. Uttar Pradesh, with its large rural and agricultural population, has seen farmer-related issues shape electoral outcomes in the past.
With upcoming elections in view, both ruling and opposition parties are intensifying their focus on rural concerns. Yadav's sharp criticism seems aimed at positioning the Samajwadi Party as a pro-farmer alternative while targeting what he describes as the BJP’s lack of ground-level engagement.
In conclusion, the war of words between Akhilesh Yadav and Yogi Adityanath over farmers' issues highlights the growing importance of rural outreach in Uttar Pradesh politics and the role of agricultural concerns in shaping the political narrative.
