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Once again a new phase of servicemen and war of words has started in the politics of the state regarding the prestigious Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Sansthan (JPNIC) located in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. National President of Samajwadi Party and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav has made a very sharp and aggressive attack on the move of Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and the State Government, in which rumors of handing over JPNIC to private hands or giving it on lease have intensified. Taking a direct dig at this policy of the government, Akhilesh Yadav has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party government has sold not only the government properties but also the name and honor of Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan, the great hero of the socialist movement, in the market. This entire project of JPNIC has always been the center of political tussle between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP, because both the parties have their own claims and allegations and counter-allegations regarding this grand building built during the tenure of the SP government. After the recent developments, this issue has once again come into the limelight at the national level and the opposition parties have become completely aggressive to corner the government.
History and political significance of JPNIC project
When Jai Prakash Narayan International Center (JPNIC), located in the Gomti Nagar extension area of Lucknow, was conceived in the year 2013-14 when Akhilesh Yadav was the Chief Minister, its objective was to make it a state-of-the-art cultural and convention center of the country and the world. In this huge complex, a modern auditorium, swimming pool, sports complex and a grand museum dedicated to Loknayak JP was to be constructed, so that the young generation of the country could take inspiration from his ideals and his struggle against the Emergency. But as soon as there was a change of government in Uttar Pradesh and the BJP government came to power in 2017, the work on this ambitious project almost came to a standstill. The ruling party has always argued that there have been large-scale financial irregularities and corruption in this project, whereas the Samajwadi Party has clearly alleged that the BJP government has left this historical heritage to turn into ruins only due to political malice and prejudice.
Why did Akhilesh Yadav get angry on the proposal of giving on lease?
Recently, when the discussion intensified at the government level that for the maintenance and operation of JPNIC, it could be given on lease to a private company or under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav got angry. He launched a scathing attack on the government through social media and press, saying that a government which cannot handle a grand and historical monument on its own has no moral right to remain in power. Akhilesh said that Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan was the person who had called for a total revolution to protect democracy in the country, and today the institute named after him is being sold for commercial gains. Samajwadi Party believes that JPNIC is not an ordinary commercial property, rather it is an important part of the ideological history of Uttar Pradesh, which will not be allowed to go into private hands at any cost.
BJP government’s stand and administrative logic
On the other hand, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of Uttar Pradesh and administrative officials have a different and technical view of this entire matter. Sources associated with the government say that the construction work of JPNIC has been incomplete for a long time and if it is left like this, then the machinery and infrastructure installed there worth crores of rupees will be completely ruined. The government argues that giving it on PPP model or on lease will not only enable better maintenance and modernization of this complex, but will also reduce the financial burden on the state exchequer. The administrative staff also claims that with the entry of the private sector, the commercial use of this convention center will be better, which will also boost the tourism and business activities of Lucknow. However, due to political pressure and opposition from the Samajwadi Party, the government is taking slow steps and all aspects are being reviewed before taking a final decision on this.
Far reaching impact of this controversy on Lucknow politics
This latest controversy that broke out regarding JPNIC located in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, may gain more importance in the coming days, because this matter is directly related to political identity and ideological prestige. Samajwadi Party is preparing to go among the public regarding this issue and they say that they will strongly oppose this anti-people and heritage selling decision of the government from the streets to the House. On the other hand, the BJP government is moving ahead with its claims of development and transparent governance. Amidst this tussle, one thing is very clear that the name of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan has once again come to the center of electoral and ideological discussions in Uttar Pradesh, and the public is keeping a close watch on in which direction the future of these great heritages of history ultimately moves.