‘Lucknow Express engine failed’: Akhilesh takes ‘Delhi handing over command’ dig at BJP pressers

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday took a 'engine of the Lucknow Express has failed' swipe at the BJP amid defence minister Rajnath Singh’s press conference in Lucknow.In a post on X, Yadav wrote, “I hear there's a big press conference happening from the side of those in power. It seems like the engine of the 'Lucknow Express' has failed, which is why Delhi's engine has made an internal decision to hand over the command of Lucknow to someone else."Calling the press conference a “show”, the Samajwadi Party chief alleged that the real objective was to portray the leadership in Lucknow as ineffective and remove it permanently.“This press conference is just for show; the real game is to prove Lucknow's engine is a junker and permanently remove it. Now who will protect the people of Lucknow?” he added.Rajnath Singh targets Congress during presserAt the press conference in Lucknow, defence minister Rajnath Singh targeted the Congress, highlighting its prolonged absence from power in Uttar Pradesh and questioning Rahul Gandhi’s ability to win his parliamentary constituency without the Samajwadi Party’s support.“The Congress party has been out of power in Uttar Pradesh for 37 years. I would like to ask Rahul Gandhi: without the Samajwadi Party, do you even have the capability to win your own seat in Rae Bareli?” Singh said.Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to hold its next Assembly elections in 2027, with the BJP and opposition parties expected to intensify their political campaigns in the run-up to the polls.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.