Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, arrived at the Mahakumbh today and took a sacred dip at the confluence. During this time, he had an exclusive conversation with Aaj Tak. When asked about his desire behind taking 11 dips at the confluence, Akhilesh cited a highly respected saint who told him that 11 dips are considered the most auspicious, bestowing grace. He expressed gratitude for the precious opportunity to perform the 11 dips today.
What was your wish upon arriving here? Akhilesh expressed, 'The entire nation is celebrating Republic Day today. My prayer is for harmony, goodwill, and the enduring resilience of our society.'
Addressing the arrangements of the Mahakumbh, you raised many points of concern on X, now with your visit, what did you notice? Akhilesh Yadav responded, 'The duty of the opposition is to inform the government where there are deficiencies. After the issues were brought to light, work progressed swiftly. This could have been accomplished earlier, but in a vast event like Mahakumbh, it's easy to find faults. However, people don't come here to find faults. This is an ancient tradition. People have been coming here for countless years, drawn not by invitations but by their faith. They take dips driven by devotion, bathe, and leave enriched with blessings, offering donations.'
When asked if Mother Ganga herself drew him here today, Akhilesh replied, 'No, this isn’t my first visit. I’ve been here before. Even during my time in government, I had the chance to organize Kumbh. Back then, despite limited resources, we did our best, and Harvard University's study noted the pioneering changes initiated during that period.'
Your government held the Kumbh, and now there's Mahakumbh. What differences do you observe in the arrangements and the crowd? Responding to this, SP leader Akhilesh mentioned, 'The Kumbh takes place every 12 years, with attendance similar to today's. The population has grown compared to the past, which could mean higher numbers, but what is the methodology for counting people? You (UP Government) claim a record turnout this Mahakumbh, unlike any other.'
