‘Cricketer’s Name Too…’: Akhilesh Yadav Targets CM Yogi Adityanath Over Place Renaming

CM Yogi Adityanath Over Place Renaming: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has once again targeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in the backdrop of the state government’s frequent name changes of cities and landmarks.

While addressing the organisation of the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and responding to opposition allegations of poor planning, Yogi Adityanath made a statement about the inclusivity of the event.

However, defending the event’s planning, Adityanath said, “Cricketer Mohammed Shami also took bath in the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh. There was no discrimination.”

While there is no confirmation if Shami has actually visited Khumbh and taken a holy dip, Akhilesh adav used Adityanath's remarks to target the UP CM: “Now, will you change the name of a cricketer too?” Akhilesh wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

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A resident of Prayagraj, Kaif shared a video on X on December 29, 2024, where he was seen jumping into the cold waters from a boat. In his post, he recalled learning to swim in the same river.

The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has been defending himself against the opposition's accusations that the Maha Kumbh organisers did not make sure everything went according to plan.

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Opposition politicians have questioned the event's management, citing occurrences like stampedes, severe traffic jams that spanned hundreds of kilometre, and worries about elevated faecal coliform levels in the water.

On Wednesday, Yogi Adityanath responded to criticism of the Maha Kumbh by stating that over 56.25 crore Hindus had already visited Prayagraj for a sacred holy dip.

मुख्यमंत्री जी कृपया फेक न्यूज़ मत फैलाइए... pic.twitter.com/Ls10PtH3WX

— Amit Yadav (Journalist) (@amityadavbharat) February 19, 2025

He claimed that the Maha Kumbh was a part of society and had nothing to do with any political party or organisation, calling accusations and "fake videos" against the event an assault on millions of people's faith.

Adityanath added  that despite efforts to disseminate false information, the event has achieved international prominence.

His response came a day after West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee referred to the Maha Kumbh as “Mrityu Kumbh.”

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