Chandrashekhar Azad mocks Ravi Kishan's 'Gorakhpur is Spain' remark
Synopsis
Chandrashekhar Azad's visa quip about 'Spain-like Gorakhpur' is more than political banter — it is a direct assault on BJP's development showcase in Yogi Adityanath's own backyard. With AIIMS gate failures, chronic waterlogging, and an unresolved murder cited in the same breath, Azad is building a counter-narrative that could resonate in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Key Takeaways
Chandrashekhar Azad on 1 September mocked Ravi Kishan's claim that Gorakhpur resembles Spain, joking he was glad no visa was required.
Azad alleged that AIIMS Gorakhpur has only one functional gate out of six, and cited a patient death linked to the resulting delays.
He said waterlogging and poor sanitation in Gorakhpur remain unchanged from four years ago , despite funds being available.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was criticised for failing to resolve civic issues in his home district.
Azad raised broader concerns about unemployment, paper leaks, and the murder of Ankit Balyan , demanding accountability from the CM or DGP.
Azad Samaj Party President and Lok Sabha MP Chandrashekhar Azad on Tuesday, 1 September took a sharp dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Kishan over his widely circulated claim that Gorakhpur feels like Spain, quipping that he was relieved to find the city still accessible without a visa or passport. The remarks came as Azad was travelling to the Madhuban Lok Sabha constituency for a scheduled event.
The Visa Jibe
Speaking to reporters, Azad said: 'I feel extremely proud. Earlier, Nepal was the only country we could visit without a visa or passport. But now, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the people here are being told that Gorakhpur has become Spain... When I came here, I thought I might need a visa to enter Spain but thankfully no such thing was needed here.'
The comment was a pointed reference to Ravi Kishan's earlier remark comparing Gorakhpur's development to the European nation — a claim that has drawn both praise from BJP supporters and ridicule from the opposition.
AIIMS Gorakhpur Under Fire
Azad also raised serious concerns about the functioning of AIIMS Gorakhpur, alleging that despite the hospital having six gates, only one remains operational. He cited a recent report in which a patient reportedly lost his life because a longer route had to be taken through the sole functional gate. 'Every minute is precious in emergency cases,' he said, adding that the situation suggested Gorakhpur had 'turned into Spain only in name, as the government is used to changing names.'
Civic Failures and Waterlogging
Noting that he had last visited Gorakhpur four years ago, Azad said conditions on the ground had remained largely unchanged. Waterlogging continues to paralyse daily life, he said, with residents still struggling with persistent issues of hygiene and cleanliness. He described it as 'extremely concerning' that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had been unable to address these problems despite having, in his words, 'ample funds' at his disposal.
'It seems he is upset with the people of Gorakhpur because of which he wants to keep them drowned in water,' Azad remarked. He acknowledged the construction of a new airport as a positive step but could not resist a parting shot: 'I don't know whether the airport will be named after Spain or some British ruler.'
Broader Concerns: Jobs, Paper Leaks, and Law and Order
Azad widened his criticism to encompass the state of Uttar Pradesh more broadly, flagging youth unemployment and migration, recurring paper leaks in competitive examinations, and what he described as curbs on protest. He also raised the question of law and order, asking whether 'mafia rule' had truly ended in the state — and specifically demanding accountability for the murder of Ankit Balyan, calling on either the Chief Minister or the Director General of Police to take responsibility.
With assembly and local body elections on the political horizon, Azad's Gorakhpur visit signals a sustained opposition effort to contest the BJP's development narrative in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's home turf.
Point of View
But Azad's visit turns a soundbite into a sustained political argument. The AIIMS gate allegation — if verified — is the sharpest part of the critique, because it moves the debate from optics to life-and-death infrastructure. Gorakhpur is Yogi Adityanath's political home, and any narrative that takes root there carries outsized symbolic weight. The BJP's development messaging in eastern Uttar Pradesh now has a specific, checkable counter-claim to answer.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ravi Kishan say about Gorakhpur that triggered the controversy?
BJP MP Ravi Kishan compared Gorakhpur to Spain, suggesting the city's development had reached a European standard. The remark drew mockery from opposition leaders, most notably Chandrashekhar Azad, who quipped that he was relieved no visa was needed to enter the city.
What did Chandrashekhar Azad allege about AIIMS Gorakhpur?
Azad alleged that only one of AIIMS Gorakhpur's six gates is functional, and cited a recent report in which a patient reportedly died because a longer route had to be taken to reach the hospital. He called the situation unacceptable given the importance of response time in emergencies.
Why did Azad criticise Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath?
Azad said Gorakhpur's civic conditions — waterlogging, poor sanitation, and dysfunctional public infrastructure — had not improved in four years despite the state government having adequate funds. He described this as 'extremely concerning' and suggested the CM was indifferent to residents' hardships.
What broader issues did Azad raise during his Gorakhpur visit?
Beyond civic grievances, Azad flagged youth unemployment and out-migration, recurring paper leaks in state examinations, restrictions on protest, and the unresolved murder of Ankit Balyan — asking whether the government could credibly claim to have ended mafia rule in Uttar Pradesh.
Where was Chandrashekhar Azad headed when he made these remarks?
Azad was travelling to the Madhuban Lok Sabha constituency for a scheduled event when he stopped to speak to reporters in Gorakhpur on 1 September.
