Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 22 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday responded to BSP chief Mayawati's remarks over the 1995 Lucknow State Guest House incident, saying that his party never breaks alliances and always stands by its partners.
Mayawati had alleged that the SP only knows how to use alliances for its own benefit while referring to the 1995 incident when BSP withdrew support from the then Mulayam Singh Yadav-led coalition government in Uttar Pradesh and SP workers allegedly attacked her at the State Guest House.
Speaking at a press conference, Akhilesh Yadav said, "The Samajwadi Party never breaks alliances; we are people who always stand by our partners. Anyone wishing to raise questions should direct them at the BJP. Sugar has become expensive right now; they are mixing ethanol into petrol and selling sugar at high prices for profit."
Targeting the BJP government over poverty and welfare schemes, Yadav questioned the Centre's claim of providing rations to 150 million people and said the government should disclose the income details of those beneficiaries.
"If the child from Japan had done a little research, he wouldn't have dared to take a photo with the Chief Minister. They are having to distribute rations to 150 million people; the government should disclose the income of these 150 million poor people. They are weakening the poor; the government itself admits that there are 150 million poor people in the country. The Samajwadi Party is preparing for all its seats, and doing so with double the speed," he said.
Speaking about education and school infrastructure, the SP chief said his party would focus on improving primary schools if voted to power. He alleged that the BJP government was shutting down schools that had earlier been developed as private-style institutions.
"Once the Samajwadi Party forms the government, we will work to improve primary schools. During the Samajwadi Party's tenure, we had proposed building 'Abhinav Schools' in Lucknow. The BJP government is shutting down schools, which were once referred to as 'private-style' schools, to prevent children from getting educated. We had initiated a program in Lucknow to provide hot meals to children from a central kitchen. Our future government will work on ensuring children receive better and nutritious food. Under the Samajwadi Party government, we will provide children with rotis smeared with ghee, prepared using machines," Akhilesh Yadav said.
Yadav also raised concerns over the issues faced by dairy farmers and said his party would introduce schemes for their welfare if it forms the government in Uttar Pradesh.
"Dairy farmers are facing injustice; a large number of people there rear buffaloes. The government is even selling cow urine, yet these farmers supply milk to Lucknow. If they stop supplying milk, the trade in adulterated milk and paneer will flourish. If the Samajwadi Party forms the government, we will introduce better schemes for them. When I met a Japanese delegation yesterday, they mentioned that a large number of people are installing dung-based energy plants. Crores of rupees were spent in Prayagraj, yet the situation remains poor. In Lucknow, the conditions have deteriorated due to the rains," he added. (ANI)
"SP never breaks alliances, always stands by partners": Akhilesh Yadav responds to Mayawati's remarks
