Akhilesh Yadav Questions BJP Over Maha Kumbh Arrangements, Seeks Help for Missing Devotees

By A Staff Reporter

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday took a swipe at the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government over its handling of Maha Kumbh arrangements, raising concerns about missing devotees and questioning the financial support provided by the Centre.

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on Maha Kumbh during his speech in Parliament, Yadav criticized the role of state officials in managing the event. "Can anyone even imagine that the CMs of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were making arrangements for vehicle parking? Several IPS officers were stopping devotees from visiting, saying that they did not have proper arrangements for them," he said.

Yadav also demanded transparency regarding the funds allocated for the grand religious gathering. "The Uttar Pradesh government should tell how much budget it received from the Centre for Maha Kumbh," he stated.

Highlighting concerns over missing persons, the SP leader urged the BJP to support the affected families. "BJP should at least help the families of those who lost their lives and went missing. There are still around 1,000 Hindus who are missing," he claimed.

The Maha Kumbh, a major religious festival held every 12 years, attracts millions of devotees, making logistical arrangements a massive challenge. While the BJP has projected it as a grand success, opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, continue to question the handling of the event and the welfare of pilgrims.