Reacting sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that the Samajwadi Party (SP) was entrenched in 'nepotism and casteism', former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said his party stands for Hindustaniyat and inclusiveness to unite people.
SP's ideology of unity
'Samajwadi Party always works to unite people. Samajwadi Party's name has its roots in the Constitution (Socialist) … wants to wipe off discrimination through politics of harmony,' Akhilesh told media persons. He added that 'Samajwadi Party talks of Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb, Hindustaniyat and wants to unite everyone and take everyone along together.'
Countering anti-development charge
Dismissing the PM's remark that SP was 'anti-development', Akhilesh referred to the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway, stating that it was the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh that built the state's first expressway -- the Lucknow-Agra greenfield Expressway. 'If anyone has taught them how to build expressways, it is the Samajwadis. We showed how greenfield expressways are planned and executed timely,' Akhilesh said.
Crime against women and governance
Listing recent incidents of crime against women in Ghazipur, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh and Hardoi, Akhilesh said it was the first time that a government and the administration were functioning to suit the agenda of a political party. Questioning the BJP government's preparation for achieving the multi-trillion-dollar economy goal, he said such aspirations can survive on a framework which safeguards the rights of workers and labourers.
Wage parity concerns
Raising concerns over differences in wages of labourers and workers in UP, Akhilesh said it was only fair that the industrial workforce got its pay and wages in parity with that of adjoining states like Delhi and Haryana. 'With rising inflation, how will workers manage rent, food, healthcare and support their families?' he asked.
West Bengal assembly elections
Charging the Union government with setting up a 'parallel administrative structure' led by Central forces in West Bengal to influence assembly elections, Akhilesh said such tactics will not impact the outcome of polls and Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress will register a historic win. 'In Bengal, Didi (Mamata Banerjee) is going to win with a historic margin. The people of Bengal are voting in large numbers in her favour,' Akhilesh said. 'From top to bottom, an entirely separate chain of command has been set up,' he added, noting that there were indications of interference even at the level of the Director General of Police rank officers. 'In every district, an IPS officer has been placed alongside the district police chief,' he said.
