Yogi Adityanath at Varanasi Mahila Sammelan: Oppn faces women's anger, says UP CM
Synopsis
At a mass women's rally in Varanasi timed to PM Modi's two-day visit, UP CM Yogi Adityanath turned the 'Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan' into a sharp political offensive — declaring that women's anger against the Opposition is unmistakable. The event blended governance optics with electoral mobilisation in Modi's own constituency.
Key Takeaways
UP CM Yogi Adityanath addressed the 'Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan' at BLW ground, Varanasi on 28 April 2025 .
Adityanath asserted that discontent against the Opposition is "clearly visible" among women, calling them "half the population." PM Narendra Modi attended the event on the first day of his two-day Varanasi visit .
Chief Minister Adityanath alleged opposition parties tried to stall 33% women's reservation in Parliament and state Assemblies.
The event drew a large turnout despite intense heat, which Adityanath described as a "reflection of strong public support." Development projects worth thousands of crores in Kashi were highlighted, with more inaugurations planned during Modi's visit.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, 28 April launched a pointed political offensive against opposition parties at the 'Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan' held at the BLW ground in Varanasi, asserting that discontent against the Opposition is "clearly visible" among women — whom he described as "half the population." The event coincided with the first day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, drawing a large gathering of women participants from across the region.
The Event and Its Setting
The sammelan opened with a traditional welcome ceremony in which Varanasi District Panchayat Chairperson Poonam Maurya presented a wooden artefact to Prime Minister Modi. Representatives of various organisations also offered GI-tagged gifts, including intricate zari-zardozi work, a peacock-themed craft, a Panchmukhi Ganesh idol, and a symbolic memento of Namo Ghat. The stage featured Chief Minister Adityanath, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, and thousands of women participants. Prime Minister Modi attended the event and greeted the gathering.
Yogi's Political Messaging
Opening his address with chants of 'Har Har Mahadev', Chief Minister Adityanath described PM Modi as the "architect of New India" and credited his leadership for accelerating the country's development trajectory. He argued that India is progressing rapidly with a focus on holistic and inclusive growth. Reiterating his attack on the Opposition, Adityanath said resentment against opposition parties is evident among women across the country — a charge the Opposition has not yet formally responded to.
Women's Empowerment and Reservation Push
On the question of women's empowerment, Chief Minister Adityanath said both the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh state government remain committed to protecting women's rights. He referred to efforts aimed at ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies, alleging that opposition parties have tried to stall the initiative. The Women's Reservation Act, passed in 2023, is currently linked to a delimitation exercise, meaning its implementation remains pending — a point critics have raised against the ruling dispensation as well.
Kashi's Transformation and Development Projects
Chief Minister Adityanath highlighted the transformation of Kashi, noting that the city has re-emerged as a hub of spiritual and cultural consciousness. He said development projects worth thousands of crores have already been completed in the constituency, with several more in progress. He also pointed out that Prime Minister Modi is set to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple projects during the two-day Varanasi visit. Adityanath framed the 'double-engine government' — referring to the BJP being in power both at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh — as the driving force behind inclusive development for women, the poor, youth, and farmers.
Turnout and Optics
Despite intense heat, the event witnessed a significant turnout of women, which Chief Minister Adityanath termed a "reflection of strong public support." He noted that women began arriving at the venue early in the day. The large attendance was projected by BJP leaders as evidence of grassroots connect ahead of what is expected to be a politically charged period in Uttar Pradesh. The sammelan's timing — aligned with PM Modi's Varanasi visit — underscored the event's dual purpose as both a governance showcase and an electoral mobilisation exercise.
Point of View
But it sidesteps an inconvenient detail: the Women's Reservation Act, passed in 2023 under BJP's watch, is itself deferred pending delimitation — a timeline the government controls. The Opposition's alleged 'obstruction' narrative thus has a counter-narrative built in. Whether the large turnout translates into durable political capital or remains a well-managed optic is the question mainstream coverage is not pressing hard enough.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan held in Varanasi?
The Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan is a BJP-organised women's rally held at the BLW ground in Varanasi on 28 April 2025, coinciding with PM Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the city. It combined political messaging with a show of women's participation from across the region.
What did UP CM Yogi Adityanath say about the Opposition at the event?
Chief Minister Adityanath asserted that discontent against the Opposition is 'clearly visible' among women — whom he described as 'half the population.' He alleged that opposition parties have tried to stall the 33% women's reservation initiative in Parliament and state Assemblies.
Why is PM Modi visiting Varanasi in April 2025?
PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, during which he is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects. He also attended the Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan and greeted the large gathering of women.
What is the status of the 33% women's reservation in Parliament?
The Women's Reservation Act was passed in 2023 but its implementation is linked to a delimitation exercise, meaning it has not yet come into effect. Both the BJP and Opposition have traded charges over responsibility for the delay.
What GI-tagged gifts were presented to PM Modi at the event?
Representatives of various organisations offered PM Modi GI-tagged gifts including intricate zari-zardozi work, a peacock-themed craft, a Panchmukhi Ganesh idol, and a symbolic memento of Namo Ghat. Varanasi District Panchayat Chairperson Poonam Maurya also presented a wooden artefact to the Prime Minister.
