BSP readies for UP polls; jabs BJP, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh 'uncle'
BSP leader Akash Anand on Monday attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over jobs, education and law and order, while also taking aim at
BSP leader Akash Anand on Monday attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over jobs, education and law and order, while also taking aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav as his party stepped up preparations for next year's Assembly elections. Addressing a workers' conference in the Sadabad area of Hathras, the BSP national coordinator said the state government should be questioned about its performance over the past 10 years. He also referred to recent protests by students and youth in Delhi and other parts of the country, saying speeches and protests alone would not change the government. Read Full Story Anand accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of failing on employment, education and law and order, and alleged that more than Rs 7,000 crore had been spent on over the past decade to hide its shortcomings.
He claimed that more than four lakh government posts were lying vacant in the state and said several competitive examinations had seen paper leaks. “Had the money been spent on examinations and employment, a large number of young people could have got government jobs,” he said. He also alleged that more than 25,000 schools had been closed in the state and questioned the government's employment figures, saying even people selling snacks or running a roadside stall once a week were being counted as employed. Anand further questioned the quality of development projects, referring to the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway and alleging that it had sunk at several places within a month of its inauguration. He also cited the Yamuna Expressway, built during Mayawati's tenure as chief minister, while criticising the Yogi Adityanath-led government. On law and order, Anand questioned the government's record on crime and women's safety, and took a swipe at Chief Minister Adityanath's claims of being an “encounter specialist”.
Turning to the Congress, he said the party talks about B R Ambedkar's Constitution but, in states where it is in power, it does what the BJP government does. He also targeted the SP and its chief Akhilesh Yadav over the party's PDA formula of Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak, alleging that it “keeps changing”. Anand repeatedly referred to Akhilesh Yadav as “uncle” and also called Rahul Gandhi “Rahul uncle”. Referring to the SP chief, he said, “I am 30, he is 50. What else should I call him! He's not 'bhaiyya' (elder brother), he is uncle to me. And I am saying this respectfully,” Anand told the gathering. Referring to the recent protests by students and young people in Delhi and elsewhere, Anand said he did not consider those demanding the education minister's resignation to be wrong, but added that speeches and demonstrations alone would not bring change.
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