Days after hinting at truce, Akhilesh again targets Congress: ‘Same as BJP’

In MP, where BJP and Congress have largely ruled in the past, Yadav said that nothing has changed in the state. “Hence I have come to appeal to you for change and for a new path,” he said. “If you look in depth, there is no difference between Congress and BJP, or their programmes and principles.”

Continuing his attack on Congress, Yadav said discussions were held with the Congress for an alliance in the MP Assembly elections and that an alliance was expected. “But it is good that Congress betrayed early. If they had betrayed later, SP could not have contested the elections in Madhya Pradesh,” Yadav said according to a release issued by the party. SP has announced candidates for 72 seats in MP.

Yadav also attacked Congress state president and former CM Kamal Nath for failure on alliance discussions. “What can be expected from someone who has ‘Kamal’ in his name. If he will not speak like the BJP, then what else he will do?” Yadav said.

Last month, the war of words between SP and the UP Congress had intensified over the alliance in MP.  However, Akhilesh later hinted that tensions with the Congress might see a resolution and said he had “received a message from the topmost Congress leader, and will have to accept it”. He also suggested the SP would always stand with the Congress.

When asked about a fresh attack on Congress by Akhilesh, SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said, “No change had happened after the talks (between Akhilesh and top Congress leaders). Congress did not agree to give us even 2-3 seats in MP.”