Tearing into Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s much-hyped Anti-Romeo Squad, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned as to where was the Government’s ‘elite squad’ when a Swiss couple was harassed and attacked in Fatehpur Sikri in Agra a few days back.
“What happened to the anti-Romeo Squads IJ A couple visiting Fatehpur Sikri were beaten up when they opposed ruffians from clicking a selfie with a woman tourist. There has been unprecedented rise in cases of crime and loot in the State,” Yadav said while addressing the press in lucknow on Thursday.
The news about the attack came to light on the day when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Taj Mahal and launched development projects worth Rs 370 crore. Besides, the CM also carried out a cleanliness drive at the western gate of Taj Mahal.
Taking a swipe at Yogi, Akhilesh said that it was the same BJP which never considered Taj Mahal as a heritage. “Some of its legislators called it a blot on Indian culture and now the CM is cleaning the western gate with a broom. Yehi to Bhagwan Ram ka kamaal hai (This is lord Ram’s miracle),” the former Chief Minister said.
“I want to see Yogi Adityanath clicked in front of Taj Mahal,” said Akhilesh in reference to his getting clicked with his wife Dimple and son at the lover’s Bench on Valentine Day.
“Samajwadi Party has done much work around Taj Mahal and the CM must have realised it. If he returns to lucknow by road, he will experience a drive on Agra-lucknow expressway and even see the runway where fighter jets carried out exercise the other day,” Yadav said elaborating the work that his Government had done.
The SP chief said, “The CM carried out cleanliness drive in Agra. But rest assured with elections round the corner, people will clean the ‘garbage’ (read BJP) as they are fed up with the misrule of this Government. I appeal to the people to support SP in the coming Urban local Bodies elections.”
“Tell me one community which is happy with this Government. Traders are upset with demonetisation and GST as these incidents have ruined the economy,” he said.
About Gujarat Assembly polls, Akhilesh said that that the SP will contest for five seats in Gujarat. “We have sought five of the 182 seats from Congress and will support Congress in the remaining seats,” he said.
Meanwhile, three former legislators — two from BSP and one from RlD joined the SP. Former MlA Madhusudan Sharma, former MlC Manish Jaiswal (both from BSP) and former RlD MlA Mithilesh Kumar joined the party along with their supporters in the presence of Akhilesh.