Akhilesh Yadav, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and national president of the Samajwadi Party (SP), has launched a scathing attack on the Yogi Adityanath government. He stated that if Uttar Pradesh residents are stranded in Israel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath should personally go there to help them.
Lucknow: With the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, the safety of Indian workers has become a serious concern. In response, Akhilesh Yadav, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and national president of the Samajwadi Party (SP), has made a surprising demand of the current Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath: that he personally travel to Israel on a special aircraft to ensure the safe return of stranded Uttar Pradesh workers.
He made this demand at a press conference in Lucknow, where a journalist questioned him about the numerous Uttar Pradesh workers stranded in Israel after being sent there on work visas by the Indian government. Akhilesh Yadav responded immediately, saying, "Through you, I request the Chief Minister to take all Air India flights, sit in them himself, and bring back all the workers from UP. If they were sent to Israel, then he should also take responsibility for bringing them back."
Workers Stranded Amidst War-Like Conditions
Recently, approximately 5000 Indian workers, a significant number of whom are young people from Uttar Pradesh, were sent to Israel under a special work scheme by the Indian government. These workers were employed in construction, farming, and other sectors. However, the escalating tension and ongoing bombing between Israel and Iran have put their lives at risk. Reports of rocket attacks and airstrikes in several parts of Israel have created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among the Indian expatriate community.
Heightened Political Rhetoric; Rajiv Rai Also Demands Action
Earlier, SP MP Rajiv Rai also criticized Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "CM Yogi Adityanath sent so many young people from UP to Israel with fanfare, even knowing that the situation there is war-like... Now, with day and night bombing, does it even occur to you how our children are and how their safe return can be ensured?"
He demanded that the Chief Minister take concrete action instead of merely issuing formal statements during this crisis. Amidst this entire situation, the Indian embassy in Tehran has also issued an emergency advisory. The embassy has stated that any Indian citizens in Iran who have not yet contacted the embassy should immediately share their location and contact details.
