In a sharp political rebuttal and emotional appeal, Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav launched a dual-pronged attack against the ruling BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, asserting that the Purvanchal Expressway was not a demand from any political section and raising critical concerns about the infrastructure issues faced by teachers in rural areas.
Speaking at a public event in Lucknow, Yadav remarked, "...Let me tell you today: No one had demanded the Purvanchal Expressway, not a single political leader, not a single politician, not even a member of the press. When the Agra–Lucknow Expressway was completed, at that time, due to Netaji, because the people of Azamgarh had elected him to the Lok Sabha, to connect Azamgarh, Ghazipur and Ballia, I myself made the announcement. In front of the Legislative Assembly, with all cabinet ministers present, we together laid the foundation stone. We completed land acquisition. According to procedure, once 50% of land acquisition or consent is completed, only then can you float a tender..."
This statement is seen as a direct challenge to the BJP's repeated claims of initiating major infrastructure projects in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Yadav, who was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2017, highlighted that the groundwork for the expressway was laid during his tenure and that the project was conceptualized and executed up to tendering phase under his leadership.
In another significant comment, Akhilesh Yadav turned his attention toward the plight of teachers in remote parts of the state. Stressing on the need for better infrastructure, he said, "The real question is, what kind of infrastructure is available to them (Teachers)? No teacher wishes to be late, yet often delays in public transport, closed railway crossings, or the long distance of 50 km or more between home and school become the cause. Teachers neither have government housing near schools, nor are rental accommodations easily available in remote areas. This leads to unnecessary stress, mental fatigue and at times, in a hurry, teachers become victims of accidents—many such incidents have occurred..."
His remarks are gaining traction among educators' unions and rural development advocates, who have long been demanding better living and commuting facilities for teachers.
