Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav over his recent 'tap theft' remark, accusing him of making excuses for corruption and incompetence. Speaking at a public rally in Lucknow, Adityanath said that the old faucet in Yadav's house was leaking, leading to the 'theft' of water, and questioned the SP leader's mental state.
Yogi's Sharp Reaction
Adityanath said, 'Akhilesh Yadav has been making excuses for his failures. First, it was the 'tap theft' remark, now he is blaming others for his own incompetence. The truth is that the old faucet in his house is leaking, and he is trying to cover it up.' The CM further alleged that Yadav's remarks were a result of intoxication, referring to the SP chief's alleged addiction to power and corruption.
SP Chief's Response
Akhilesh Yadav had earlier claimed that water taps were being stolen in Uttar Pradesh, a remark that drew widespread criticism. The SP chief defended his statement, saying that it was a metaphor for the rampant corruption in the state under the BJP government. 'I was talking about the theft of public resources, not literal taps. Yogi ji is deliberately misinterpreting my words,' Yadav said in a press conference.
Political Implications
The war of words between the two leaders has intensified ahead of the upcoming local body elections in Uttar Pradesh. Political analysts believe that the 'tap theft' controversy is likely to become a major campaign issue, with both parties trying to gain political mileage. The SP has accused the BJP of diverting attention from real issues like unemployment and inflation, while the BJP has called Yadav's remarks a sign of his disconnect from reality.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties have come out in support of Akhilesh Yadav, criticizing Adityanath for his personal attacks. Congress spokesperson said, 'The CM should focus on governance instead of making baseless allegations against the opposition.' The BJP, however, has stood by its leader, with party spokesperson saying, 'Akhilesh Yadav's remarks are a reflection of his frustration and failure to accept the development work done by the Yogi government.'
