Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has welcomed the political development in Bihar where the Janata Dal (United) has severed ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party and is no longer part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
“I welcome Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for parting company with the BJP and aligning with the secular forces in Bihar led by Rashtriya Janata Dal. What has happened will soon be repeated in many other states and this is good for the future and stability of democracy in India,” Akhilesh Yadav said in Kannauj on Tuesday where he launched the campaign for celebrating 75 years of independence in a village and distributed national flag to local people.
“Bihar has given a new slogan ‘BJP bhagao’. It is a good development and it will spread across the country as the power has gone to the head of the BJP,” said Akhilesh Yadav, who is leader of opposition in UP Assembly.
He added, “Samajwadi Party will soon decide on forging a new alliance in UP.”
Akhilesh Yadav, however, refused to comment on his former ally Om Prakash Rajbhar, president of Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party.
On `Har Ghar Tiranga Abhiyan’ launched by the BJP, Akhilesh Yadav said, “There is nothing new in the campaign launched by the BJP, and it is a common practice for the people to hoist national flag on Independence Day and Republic Day.”
He said the Samajwadi Party had asked the rank and file of the party to hoist the national flag in every nook and corner of the state.
Accusing the BJP of politicising the Independence Day celebration, Akhilesh Yadav said, “The BJP had no role in the freedom movement and they are deliberately making a political issue out of the 75 years of independence of the country. They have politicised the issue only to divert the attention of the people from real issues like inflation and unemployment.”
Akhilesh Yadav added, “The BJP is practicing the policy of divide and rule. They are doing what they have learnt from their political mentors — the British colonial masters.”
Accusing the BJP of sheltering criminals, the SP chief said, “In fact, it is the true character of sheltering and grooming criminals. The BJP leaders patronised Srikant Tyagi in Noida and that is why he was so powerful and enjoyed so much clout in local administration.”