UP Politics: Sapa Hits Back at Minister’s ‘Paper Leak Drop’ Claim, Sparks Major Political Row

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after the state’s Higher Education Minister made a remark on the issue of paper leaks, triggering a sharp response from the Samajwadi Party (SP) and escalating the ongoing political war of words. The minister, Yogendra Upadhyay, reportedly claimed that earlier nearly 100 paper leaks used to occur, whereas now the number has reduced significantly to around 10, suggesting that the situation has improved under the current administration. His statement, however, quickly drew criticism from the opposition, which questioned the logic and accountability behind such comparisons. The Samajwadi Party strongly reacted to the minister’s remarks, accusing the government of failing to control irregularities in examinations and questioning the moral responsibility of the education ministry. SP leaders argued that if paper leaks continue even at a reduced scale, it still reflects administrative failure and demands accountability rather than justification. Opposition leaders further alleged that repeated incidents of paper leaks in recruitment and competitive examinations have severely impacted the future of students and job aspirants in the state. They also raised concerns over governance, transparency, and administrative oversight in the education system. Meanwhile, political tensions were also visible on the ground as Samajwadi Party workers staged protests in several areas, including Shravasthi, highlighting issues such as inflation, paper leaks, and public grievances. Protesters raised slogans against the government and demanded stronger action to ensure fair examinations and better governance. In another development, SP MP Dharmendra Yadav expressed strong displeasure during a district-level meeting in Azamgarh over the absence of officials, accusing the administration of ignoring elected representatives and undermining democratic processes. The issue has now intensified into a broader political debate, with both ruling and opposition parties exchanging sharp statements ahead of the upcoming political cycle in the state.