Fri Oct 11 09:10:00 UTC 2024: ## BJP & SP Clash Over Barricaded JPNIC on JP Narayan’s Birth Anniversary

**Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh:** A political row has erupted in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, as the Samajwadi Party (SP) accuses the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of obstructing a planned tribute to socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan.

On the eve of JP Narayan’s birth anniversary, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was denied permission to visit the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) in Lucknow, a museum dedicated to the iconic leader. The JPNIC, inaugurated by Yadav in 2016 during his tenure as Chief Minister, was found to be barricaded with tin sheets. The SP claims this was a deliberate attempt by the BJP to prevent Yadav from paying his respects.

Yadav accused the BJP of having a “negative agenda” and criticized the government for barring him from visiting the JPNIC. He alleged that the BJP is attempting to sell off the structure and accused the government of being “scared” of JP Narayan’s ideology.

The BJP, however, has denied the allegations, claiming their actions are driven by security concerns due to ongoing construction and the presence of insects. They also argued that the SP is trying to politicize the event, accusing Yadav of enjoying a “luxurious life” that is contrary to JP Narayan’s principles.

Despite the blockade, Yadav, accompanied by a security detail, garlanded a bust of JP Narayan mounted on a vehicle at his residence. He also appealed to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a BJP ally, to sever ties with the BJP over the incident.

This incident echoes a similar controversy that arose last year when Yadav was forced to jump over a wall to garland the statue due to similar restrictions.

The row underscores the deep political divide between the BJP and the SP, further fueling the tensions in the state ahead of the upcoming elections.

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