In the run-up to the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, the national president of the Samajwadi Party (SP), attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party and Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday, saying the saffron party was “unlikely” to find ticket-seeking candidates due to people’s “anger” against the ruling party. He also made a dig at Shah, who was in Lucknow on Saturday visiting BJP leaders, office-bearers, and cadres, over Union minister of state Ajay Mishra Teni’s attendance at Shah’s rally the day before.
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“Even if the BJP declares 403 chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh, the party would not be able to attract even 4 to 3 ticket aspirants due to popular outrage. When the party is clearly on its way to loss, how will it attract ticket buyers? The people, who are dissatisfied with the BJP, will punish it with every vote. On a day when six Bahujan Samaj Party and one BJP MLA crossed over to the SP, Akhilesh tweeted, “The BJP is finished.”
In the approaching UP assembly elections, Amit Shah has asked BJP activists to capture more than 300 of the 403 seats. He further stated that if the party wins the polls, current Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will remain in office. He also aimed at opposition parties and leaders, particularly Akhilesh Yadav and his election-related actions. “Previously, the state was governed by the mafia and criminals; now, when I browse through ‘durbeen,’ I can’t find them anywhere in UP.” Shah had remarked, folding his hands over his eyes in a binocular motion.
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On Saturday, Akhilesh tweeted back at Shah, saying, “The hunt with the phoney binocular was a drama while the perpetrator was standing next (to Amit Shah).” His remark appeared to be a dig at Ajay Mishra’ Teni,’ the state minister who was on stage with Shah at a BJP gathering in the city. Ajay Mishra is the father of Ashish Mishra, a key figure in the Lakhimpur Kheri riots, which resulted in the deaths of eight people, including four farmers.
