In a politically charged statement on Sunday, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, suggesting that a ‘Shivling’ might be located beneath the CM’s residence in Lucknow, urging for an excavation. The remark, made during a press conference at the SP headquarters, came as Yadav attacked the BJP over recent Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavations in Sambhal, where a stepwell was unearthed in the Chandausi area.
Switching gears, Yadav voiced his skepticism about electronic voting machines (EVMs), calling for the reintroduction of ballot paper voting to ensure public confidence in elections. “Even a country like Germany conducts elections using ballot papers. But in India, elections are conducted with EVMs to serve vested interests,” said Yadav, emphasizing the need for a transparent and trustworthy electoral process.
The SP chief was joined at the press conference by Rahul Kumar Kamboj, an Indian-origin Member of Parliament from Germany. Kamboj advocated for the benefits of Germany’s ballot-paper voting system, stating, “In Germany, voting is still conducted using ballot papers. It is an important system because any discrepancies can be addressed with a recount.”
Yadav added, “No one trusts EVMs. Even the faces of those who win elections seem dejected as they too do not have faith in the system.”
Strengthening India-Germany Collaboration
Kamboj also shared his vision of fostering collaboration between Indian-origin communities and Germany. “Our goal is to facilitate cultural exchanges and opportunities. Visa issues will no longer be a hurdle for those looking to participate in Germany’s cultural festivals,” he announced.
Highlighting economic ties, Kamboj spoke about identifying opportunities in Europe and implementing them in states like Uttar Pradesh. “If we can bring European opportunities to Lucknow, it will open new avenues for growth,” he said, outlining his mission.
Welcoming Kamboj, Yadav expressed enthusiasm for strengthening ties with Germany, noting the potential benefits for Uttar Pradesh. “Building bridges between our regions will create opportunities for education, skills, and jobs for our youth, paving the way for progress,” Yadav said.