‘Saifai syndicate’ spent Rs 864 crore on Lucknow’s JP centre, still left it incomplete: UP CM

Taking a swipe at the previous Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday alleged that the “Saifai syndicate” led by party president Akhilesh Yadav left the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) in Lucknow incomplete despite having spent a staggering Rs 864 crore on its construction against the initial estimated cost of just Rs 200 crore.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for 80 development projects worth Rs 305 crore in Deoria district, the CM said, “This was not the money of the “Saifai syndicate”, but it belonged to the people of the state.

They used to squander public money. If the government constructed it today, it would not cost more than Rs 150-200 crore. They wanted to spend Rs 900-1,000 crore from the government treasury and hand it over to a private company of Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav and Dharmendra Yadav.” The CM described the SP as a gang of dacoits, stating, “Before 2017, parents remained worried about the safety of daughters.

When we were going to launch the free bus service on August 26, the SP’s “Babua” (Akhilesh Yadav) was jolted out of his sleep and he hurriedly called a press conference. He did not even know what to say.” Raising questions over the functioning of the opposition party, Adityanath remarked, “The ‘Babua’ gets up at 12 noon.

Due to this, his head remains heavy and he becomes irritated. When journalists ask questions, he engages in abusive language and physical confrontation. I have heard that he once put a sword to a journalist’s neck. The media works as the fourth pillar of democracy.” He said, “The Samajwadi Party is actually a private limited company run by members of just one family.

He says there are five MPs from his family and this is why the party has survived. He should be thankful that the SP has survived, otherwise it will meet the same fate as Janata Dal.” He further said “Also, the government will provide tablets to 2 crore youth.

More than 50 lakh youth have already received them, and an order for another 25 lakh has been placed. We will provide tablets to students in the final year of graduation. Now no one is able to interfere in jobs, and this is what irritates the SP chief.

Now youths from every district are getting jobs.” “In nine and a half years, we have provided more than 9.5 lakh government jobs. Nearly 3 crore youth are getting employment,” he added. Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express.

With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements.

From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution. Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story.

His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape.

Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context.

By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More