Fri Nov 21 20:21:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Varanasi Demolition Sparks Political Clash: SP Leader Akhilesh Yadav Accuses BJP of Targeting Traders

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – November 22, 2025 – A political storm is brewing in Uttar Pradesh over the ongoing demolition in Varanasi’s Dal Mandi area. Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has vehemently condemned the demolition, alleging it is a “political demolition” orchestrated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to weaken its political opponents.

Speaking to the media in Lucknow on Friday, November 21, 2025, Yadav stated that the demolition of shops in Dal Mandi is an injustice to traders. He claims the BJP lost the election from that market and is now “harassing the traders,” accusing them of employing a “divide and rule” strategy for political gain.

Yadav, after meeting with affected traders at the Samajwadi State Office, demanded an immediate halt to the demolition. He emphasized the importance of preserving historical sites and heritage for economic benefit through tourism, arguing that the current actions disregard the livelihoods and long-standing businesses of those in Dal Mandi.

“A market like Dal Mandi is not built in a day,” Yadav asserted, highlighting the years of establishment and business that are being undone. He criticized the BJP for being “anti-business and anti-businessmen” and asserted that compensation, such as alternative shop locations, cannot replace established customer bases and markets.

Yadav concluded by vowing that the “injustice and atrocities” of the BJP government will not last. He accused the government of neglecting farmers, youth, traders, and the general public, and assured that the BJP’s actions would not endure.

The demolition in Dal Mandi has become a focal point of contention, raising questions about the motivations behind the action and its impact on local businesses and the community.

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