Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav addresses a press conference at the party office, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (PTI Photo/Nand Kumar)
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday took a swipe at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his promise to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttar Pradesh if the BJP returns to power, wondering what caused the "delay".
Asked at a press conference about Shah's announcement on the UCC, Yadav quipped, "Badi der kar di meherban aate-aate (It took you so long to arrive, O gracious)."
When a journalist pointed out that the original Hindi film song that Yadav referred to had the word 'huzoor' (master) instead of 'meherban' (gracious), the SP chief said, "Thank you for correcting me. But don't make me say 'huzoor'. 'Meherban' is fine."
In his witty retort, Yadav appeared to question the timing of the BJP's UCC promise, suggesting that it is raising the issue only when assembly elections are approaching, despite having governed Uttar Pradesh for two consecutive terms.
Shah had earlier in the day announced at the BJP's state working committee meeting in Lucknow that the party would implement the UCC in Uttar Pradesh if it returned to power after the assembly elections scheduled early next year.
"Akhilesh Babu, mark my words, your party will not form the government in Uttar Pradesh for the next 30 years. The people will not forgive even your third generation," Shah said.
"This time, when the government comes to power, UCC will be implemented in Uttar Pradesh. UCC has already been implemented in many states," he said.
In another pointed response, Yadav targeted the Yogi Adityanath government over its recently revised guidelines governing eligibility for government jobs, which bar candidates associated with organisations advocating a change in the "established social order" through violent means.
Asked about the new policy, the SP chief said, "Those who are going to become unemployed are the very people making such laws and taking these decisions."
He then took another swipe at the chief minister, saying, "I have already asked this question. Will he (Adityanath) travel by expressway, or book a seat on a bus or a train?"
The revised guidelines, issued by Principal Secretary (Appointment and Personnel) M Devaraj, apply to direct recruitment across state government departments and various government-controlled bodies.
The state government has clarified that political ideology alone cannot be a ground for disqualifying a candidate from government employment.
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