Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday indirectly defended Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra even as he dubbed the Gujarat development model a “Model of dividing India.”
Addressing an election meeting in Zaidpur (Barabanki district) in support of Samajwadi Party candidate Rajrani Rawat, the Chief Minister, without naming Mr. Vadra, attacked the BJP for whipping up the land deal issue.
A big issue had been made out of it. Which State did not give land to companies for development of the region, Mr. Yadav asked. He added that the BJP was diverting the people’s attention from more pressing issues.
However, Mr. Yadav hastened to add that in his State proper land acquisition rules had been framed wherein farmers’ land could not be forcibly acquired, nor could the land be auctioned if a debt-ridden farmer failed to clear his dues.
‘A hyped entity’
Dismissing the Gujarat model as a hyped entity which in reality did not exist, he accused the BJP of promoting divisive politics. Mr. Yadav said notable work on the development front had been done in his State in the last two years. Only the Samajwadi Party could foil the BJP’s designs in the State, he added.
Back in Lucknow, Mr. Yadav led a road show in support of party candidate Abhishek Mishra, which culminated in Lohia Park in the Chowk area of the Old City.
The road show began at 3 p.m., with the Chief Minister atop a vehicle.
