Irrigation minister Dharmpal Singh lashed out at former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday and accused him of plundering scarce public resources for self-aggrandizement and filling private coffers at the cost of public interest. “Akhilesh Yadav was born with a silver spoon and he inherited his place and stature in politics from his father. Such leaders are expert in the art of looting the state in pursuing their political agenda. Such leaders are adept in the art of pretending as the sole messiah of the poor and the downtrodden,’’ said Singh at a press conference in lucknow on Tuesday. The Irrigation minister was responding to criticism by SP president Akhilesh Yadav of the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Akhilesh had recently made critical comments on the poor maintenance of Gomati Riverfront project and the growth of water hyacinth in rivers hindering the flow and accumulation of garbage in river bed.
Gomati Riverfront was one of the flagship projects of former CM Akhilesh Yadav where over Rs 1,000 crore were spent. Despite the expenditure, the physical achievements were far below the target.
The Yogi government had ordered investigation into irregularities and later the probe into the project was referred to Central Bureau of Investigation.
“The previous SP government headed by Akhilesh Yadav committed the cardinal sin of polluting rivers in the state. The loot and plunder by the SP in the name of riverfront project is an open secret. The matter is being pobed by CBI and soon skeletons from the cupboards of Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal would tumble out,’’ quipped the minister. “Dynastic leaders exploit political situations and by deception they somehow grab power. Their sole agenda is private opulence at the cost of public exchequer. It’s too well known that who is facing charges disproportionate and was named as `Dalit ke beti’,” said Singh. “Akhilesh lacks the stature to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is like a fused bulb while Modi is the rising sun of Indian politics,’’ said the minister. Dharmpal Singh said that the BJP government has accorded top priority to revival of rivers in the state which include eight rivers like Gomati, Tamsa, Varuna, Aami, Areel, Sot, Manorama and Sai.