Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has stirred controversy by sharing a video on Twitter that shows a herd of oxen leisurely strolling down an expressway in the state. The video, accompanied by a sardonic caption, has gone viral, reigniting debates over the quality and safety of the expressway, aptly dubbed the “OXPRESS WAY” by Yadav.
ये है उप्र में बना दुनिया का पहला ‘ऑक्सप्रेस वे’ (OXPRESS WAY)… जिसका उद्घोष है ‘आपकी जान, आपके हाथ’. pic.twitter.com/jrtvw6FdEd
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 20, 2024
The footage depicts a group of cows casually meandering down the six-lane expressway, grazing on the medians, and seemingly unfazed by the occasional speeding vehicle. Yadav’s accompanying tweet quipped, “This is the world’s first ‘OXPRESS WAY’ built in Uttar Pradesh… whose slogan is Aapki Jaan, Aapke Haath” (Your life, in your hands).
The Samajwadi Party leader’s tweet has become a talking point on social media, with supporters leveraging the opportunity to criticize the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. One supporter stated, “Akhilesh gave a world-class expressway! In Yogi Ji’s rule, it’s the OXPRESS WAY,” in Hindi, referencing the current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath.
The video and the subsequent social media discussion have brought attention to the ongoing debate over the infrastructure quality and safety in Uttar Pradesh. Critics argue that such incidents raise questions about the effectiveness of the state’s expressways and the measures in place to ensure safety and prevent such unconventional occurrences.
The controversy comes at a time when the state is gearing up for the much-anticipated Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The political atmosphere is charged as discussions around seat-sharing take place among opposition parties aiming to collectively challenge the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Akhilesh Yadav, during a meeting in Lucknow on January 20, emphasized the importance of winnability in seat-sharing talks with the Congress. He expressed confidence that future discussions would find a way to seal a pact among the opposition parties.
“We and RLD’s Jayant Choudhary had a good conversation. We had discussion regarding seven seats…We are also in conversation with Congress. Several meetings have taken place in Delhi. Very soon, more meetings will be held and a way will be found. INDIA alliance should be strong, the question is not of (number of ) seats but of winning. On the basis of winnability, we all will take a decision together,” said Akhilesh Yadav.
The seat-sharing talks are crucial for the INDIA bloc’s goal to collectively take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls, expected to take place in April-May this year. The political dynamics in Uttar Pradesh are heightened, with various parties engaging in negotiations and strategizing to form a robust alliance against the ruling party.
As the video of oxen casually strolling on the expressway garners attention, it adds a layer of political discourse to the ongoing infrastructure and development debates in Uttar Pradesh. The criticism and social media reactions underscore the broader concerns regarding governance, safety, and public infrastructure projects in the state.
The debate over the “OXPRESS WAY” serves as a microcosm of the larger political landscape in Uttar Pradesh, where parties are not only scrutinizing infrastructure projects but also engaging in intricate negotiations for electoral alliances. The upcoming Lok Sabha polls are anticipated to be closely contested, and the political narrative continues to evolve with each development, whether it’s a video of grazing oxen or high-stakes political discussions.
