Prayagraj | August 20, 2026
The Samajwadi Party (SP) staged a protest in Prayagraj over severe waterlogging across the city, targeting the Uttar Pradesh government and the municipal administration. Party leaders and workers raised slogans against the government and blamed the authorities for poor drainage and civic management.
The protest comes as heavy rainfall has caused widespread waterlogging in several parts of Prayagraj, disrupting traffic and normal life. Reports said the city received around 208 mm of rain since Sunday, while the continuing waterlogging forced authorities to close schools earlier this week.
SP Leaders Raise “Bring Back the Old City” Slogan
During the protest, an SP MLC reportedly criticised the city’s current civic condition and raised the slogan, “Bring back the old city.” The protestors also demanded that the Mayor resign, holding the municipal administration accountable for the waterlogging crisis.
The demonstrators alleged that despite repeated warnings and preparations ahead of the monsoon, the city’s drainage and water-management systems failed to prevent large-scale flooding in residential and commercial areas.
Opposition Targets Government Over Civic Failures
SP leaders raised slogans against the state government and accused the administration of failing to address the problems faced by residents. The party’s criticism follows a wider political attack on the government over Prayagraj’s waterlogging crisis.
SP president Akhilesh Yadav has also criticised the BJP government over the situation, alleging that poor drainage and alleged corruption have contributed to recurring waterlogging in the city.
A senior Prayagraj corporator has separately accused municipal officials of negligence, claiming that drains were not adequately cleaned before the monsoon and that local representatives were sidelined during the process.
Waterlogging Remains a Major Concern
With roads, residential areas and key parts of Prayagraj affected by accumulated rainwater, the issue has become a major political and civic concern. The SP has demanded accountability from the authorities as residents continue to face disruptions due to flooding.
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