Akhilesh lauds miners, urges UP govt to help rescue team: ‘They saved many lives’

On December 2, while speaking in the state Assembly, Akhilesh demanded that while the Chief Minister met workers rescued in the operation, gratitude should be shown towards the rescuers also without bias.

The rescuers – Hasan, Munna Qureshi, Naseem Malik, Monu Kumar, Saurabh, Jatin Kumar, Ankur, Nasir Khan, Devendra, Firoz Qureshi, Rashid Ansari and Irshad Ansari – were present on the dais with Akhilesh at the press conference. Akhilesh also appealed to the Uttarakhand government to take cognizance of the Environmental Impact Assessment reports in thestate.

The 12 rescue workers were called to Lucknow by road after they missed their flight. “Some of them are from Bulandshahr, while some are from Delhi. They met in Delhi yesterday, but they missed their flight. We sent three SUVs to bring them to Lucknow,” said an SP leader.
“We are not in power, but we have honoured them. I appeal to the government that when they have helped those who were rescued, they should come forward and also help those who saved their lives,” added Akhilesh.

Asked about BSP MP Danish Ali’s suspension by the BSP, Akhilesh said, “I hope they (BSP) don’t suspect that he (Ali) is joining the SP.”

‘EVMs have created feeling of distrust’

Speaking about the use of electronic voting machine (EVMs), Akhilesh said, “I have said this multiple times…We understand technology. In America too, voting is done for months and then these are counted for a long time. Then, when elections happen in India when the future of 140 crore people is decided… Why do you want results in three hours? Why shouldn’t counting be done for a month? We should use the ballot like America. These machines (EVMs) and the results have led to loss of faith among people. This is the most dangerous thing in a democracy… I am in favour of voting through ballot.”