Choose between BJP’s anti-development policies and SP’s development agenda: Akhilesh Yadav to voters

Samajwadi Party President and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. (PTI Photo)

WITH NO plans to campaign in the urban local body polls beginning November 22, SP national president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday issued a written appeal for voters, seeking support for party candidates. SP is contesting the polls on its symbol this time. Calling the civic polls “crucial”, Akhilesh appealed to the people to decide whether they want to carry forward the “development” initiated by his party during its rule or promote the “anti-development” policies of the BJP. He claimed that to win the civic polls, BJP has “once again” issued “chhal patra (a document to befool people)”. He also accused the ruling BJP of “spreading hatred” in the state instead of initiating any development works.

“The civic polls are crucial as they will give an indication towards the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. You (voters) have to decide whether you accept the development initiated by the SP or you want to promote anti-development policies of the BJP… Contrary to the SP, which fulfilled all its promises during its rule, the BJP is only spreading hatred and dividing the society. It has not initiated any developmental works yet,” Akhilesh said in his appeal.

Highlighting works done during his party’s rule, the SP president said, “Criminals have no fear of law. Loot, kidnapping and murder is on the rise and women are unsafe. Hundreds of children died in Gorakhpur under the present regime.” He alleged that the welfare schemes launched when his party was in power, were “discontinued (by BJP) due to political vendetta”. Akhilesh accused BJP of befooling farmers in the name of crop loan waiver as “the entire loan amount was not waived off as promised”.

BJP spokesperson Shalabh Mani Tripathi said “frustrated” SP leaders have already “conceded defeat”. “The people have full faith in PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath and it will be proved once again in the civic polls,” he added. SP state chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said Akhilesh is not likely to hold any public meeting. “He has released a written appeal for the voters… Pamphlets of the appeal will be distributed among the people,” he added.

(with inputs from PTI)