Lucknow: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has launched a sharp criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address to the nation, calling it “empty” and claiming that it failed to address the real concerns of the people. Speaking to the media during a political interaction in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav said that citizens were left disappointed as “hopes remained unfulfilled” after the Prime Minister’s speech.
Akhilesh Yadav, however, also clarified his party’s stance on the issue of women’s reservation, stating that the Opposition is not against the idea. He said that the SP fully supports the empowerment of women in politics and public life, but raised questions about the timing, implementation, and sincerity of the policy announcements being made by the central government.
According to Yadav, announcements alone are not enough unless they are backed by clear action plans and immediate implementation. He alleged that several major promises made in the past by the ruling party have either been delayed or not implemented effectively, which has led to growing public frustration.
The SP leader further said that the women’s reservation issue should not be used as a “political tool” ahead of elections. He stressed that genuine empowerment requires long-term policy commitment, education, safety, and employment opportunities for women, rather than symbolic announcements.
His remarks come amid ongoing political debate over the women’s reservation bill and its implementation timeline, which has become a key talking point between the ruling party and Opposition groups. While the government has projected the measure as a historic step towards gender equality, Opposition parties have demanded clarity on execution and reservation within existing quotas.
Yadav also used the opportunity to criticise the broader governance approach of the Centre, alleging that key issues such as unemployment, inflation, and rural distress were not adequately addressed in the Prime Minister’s speech.
Political analysts note that Akhilesh Yadav’s comments are part of a broader Opposition strategy to question the government’s narrative while simultaneously supporting popular social reforms, including women’s representation in legislatures.
As political discussions intensify ahead of upcoming elections in several states, the debate over women’s reservation and governance performance is expected to remain a central issue in the national political discourse.
