Akhilesh Yadav slams BJP's "double-engine government," claims INDIA bloc will sweep Ghaziabad by-elections

Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 5 (ANI): Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday criticized the BJP-led "double-engine government" while campaigning in Ghaziabad for the upcoming by-elections.
Claiming that the government has failed the city, Yadav said, "The first engine never even reaches Ghaziabad, and the second engine barely operates from Lucknow."
Yadav also alleged that the BJP was unsettled by its recent defeat in Ayodhya, which he claimed led them to avoid holding elections there. Commenting on the rescheduling of by-election dates, he added that the BJP is now afraid of losing. Yadav expressed confidence in the INDIA alliance, saying it would win all nine seats in the by-elections.
Earlier in the day, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the state government approved a new manual for the appointment of Director General of Police (DGP). According to the new manual, the DGP will now have a minimum tenure of two years, and a nominating committee, headed by a retired High Court judge, will oversee the appointment.
Reacting to this decision, Yadav posted on X, saying that the real question is whether those implementing the arrangement will remain in power for two years. "I have heard that arrangements are being made to give a senior officer a permanent post and extend his tenure by two years... the question is whether the person making the arrangement will himself stay for two years or not," he wrote. "Is this an attempt to take the reins from Delhi into one's own hands? Delhi vs. Lucknow 2.0," he added. As per the new manual, the DGP will only be appointed when there are at least six months left in the officer's service.
Earlier on Monday, Yadav took a potshot at the BJP, saying, "Talenge toh or bhi bura harenge (If they postpone it, they will lose even worse)" after the Election Commission rescheduled by-elections in Uttar Pradesh. The Election Commission postponed by-elections in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Punjab to November 20 from November 13.
Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the BJP intentionally postponed the election to prevent people affected by "Maha-Berozgari" in UP, who had moved out of the state for work but returned home for the festival, from casting their votes. "First the Milkipur by-election was postponed; now the dates for by-elections for the remaining seats have been announced. The BJP has never been this weak. Due to 'Maha-Berozgari' in UP, people move to different parts of the country for work," Yadav said on X.
Notably, the Election Commission has previously rescheduled polling dates to ensure voter convenience and encourage participation. One assembly constituency in Kerala, four in Punjab, and nine in Uttar Pradesh will now go to polls on November 20. The dates for counting and completion of the election will remain November 23 and 25, respectively. (ANI)