Samajwadi Party chief flags democratic deficit in wake of BRICS summit
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday criticised both the Union and Uttar Pradesh governments, saying international gatherings such as the BRICS Summit cannot hide shortcomings in domestic governance or replace genuine democratic accountability. He made the remarks to reporters in Lucknow on September 13, the second day of the summit hosted by India.
While acknowledging the value of global forums for cooperation, Yadav warned that the ambition of a "Viksit Bharat" requires state governments to protect democratic freedoms rather than suppress dissent. His comments came amid public discussion over preparations for the BRICS Summit and related visibility measures in the national capital.
"You cannot ask questions of your state government. If someone asks you a question, you take action against them… If you are dreaming of a Viksit Bharat, at least there should be the freedom to ask questions in a democracy," Yadav said.
Yadav emphasised that international events create opportunities for cooperation but cautioned that development cannot be achieved through optics alone. He said structural growth depends on transparent governance and civic space, not just high-profile summits or temporary measures to manage public perceptions.
Referring to preparations in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS meeting, Yadav criticised what he described as public relations exercises and the installation of screens and barricades to conceal low-income neighbourhoods from view on key transit routes. The remarks relate to widely reported measures taken in the national capital during the summit organised on September 12-13 under India's 2026 chairmanship.
Analysts say the exchange highlights broader political fault-lines in Uttar Pradesh, where governance, law-and-order and freedom of expression are frequent points of contention between the ruling party and opposition. Yadav's intervention seeks to link local democratic practice with the national government's international agenda.
For UP voters and civic groups, the practical stakes include:
- Freedom to question authorities: Opposition leaders underline the right to hold state institutions accountable without fear of action.
- Transparency in governance: Demands for administrative openness amid large-scale events and development claims.
- Public representation: Concerns that high-profile international diplomacy should not eclipse local problems affecting ordinary citizens.
Yadav's statement adds to a series of critiques from opposition leaders across India who say major diplomatic events should not be used to divert attention from domestic issues. He linked the need for democratic space directly to the goal of building a developed India.
There was no immediate response from the Uttar Pradesh government to Yadav's remarks. The state administration and the Centre have previously defended security and civic-management measures around large events as necessary for smooth conduct and national prestige.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav |
| Where | Lucknow |
| When | September 13, during BRICS Summit |
| Main point | International events cannot substitute for democratic accountability at state level |
With Uttar Pradesh scheduled for major political contests in coming years and remaining India's most populous state, critiques centred on civil liberties and administrative transparency are likely to remain prominent in public debate. Opposition leaders, including Yadav, will continue to press that international engagement and national projects be matched by protections for dissent and transparent governance at the state level.
Reporters will monitor subsequent responses from the state and central administrations and any follow-up by civil-society groups or legal bodies seeking clarity on actions against critics and the wider implications for public accountability in Uttar Pradesh.
