Don't involve kids in politics: Akhilesh as Gorakhpur girl praises Yogi, berates him in video

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday advised administrative officials in Gorakhpur not to involve children in politics after a video of a schoolgirl, who resumed her education following the Uttar Pradesh government's intervention, surfaced online.

Referring to a video in which the girl is heard saying, "Yogi acche hain, Akhilesh bure" (Yogi is good, Akhilesh is bad), Yadav told reporters at the party headquarters here, "I saw the video. We had extended help to the girl, but she said Yogi ji is good, and I am bad. Until now, I believed there was some good in us. I thank the sister, the daughter, for showing me that we are indeed bad. Those who help in times of trouble are bad," he said, with a touch of sarcasm.

Urging the administration to exercise restraint, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, "Children should not be used for politics. It is a dangerous game. One never knows when loyalty may shift or when personal interests take over. Circumstances can change everything." "This is a game for grown-ups. My only request to the government, IAS officers and the District Magistrate of Gorakhpur is — don’t drag children into this," he said.

"I think I too should take a two- or three-week leave to correct myself. Right now, I am the bad one," Yadav said.

His remarks came after schoolgirl Pankhuri Tripathi met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at a Janata Darshan on July 1, during which he assured her admission to a school after she pleaded for a fee exemption.

However, she initially could not get admission as the school principal allegedly did not respond positively.

Yadav later made a post on X in support of the girl and said that party leaders had offered her assistance.

The girl, speaking to reporters in Gorakhpur, confirmed that representatives from the Samajwadi Party had approached her with financial help.

"But I refused the offer because CM Yogi fulfilled his promise and ensured my admission," she said, adding that she formally got admission on Monday and attended school.