PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 15 -- In what is seen as an attempt at Dalit outreach ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday unveiled a statue of freedom fighter and four-time Congress MP Mahashay Masuriyadin Pasi in his birthplace, Prayagraj. The move brings a largely forgotten Dalit leader associated with the Congress back into the spotlight, while also giving Adityanath an opportunity to target the party.

Unveiling the statue at Teliarganj crossing, the chief minister highlighted Masuriyadin's role in the freedom struggle and his association with former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

"Rahul Gandhi should take note that Nehruji was not the only one who went to jail for the country's freedom. M...