The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday said that Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav’s lip-flop over supporting Congress post-poll in Uttar Pradesh showed he has accepted defeat even before the results are out.
“The Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statement of alliance with Congress shows that Samajwadi Party supremo has accepted the defeat before the elections,” BJP general secretary and chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said.
Mr. Prasad was addressing a press conference in here.
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Mr. Singh on Wednesday ruled out giving support to Congress in government formation in U.P., hours after he spoke about this possibility if there were signs of BJP coming to power.
“While SP and BSP are supporting Congress at the Centre they are fighting against each other in Uttar Pradesh. This is an eye-wash,” Mr. Prasad said in his address.
After elections they will come together, he claimed.
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Attacking Congress, Mr. Prasad said, “Will the Congress rule U.P. in the same manner they have been ruling the country for past seven years.”
“I ask Rahul Gandhi where was the promise of checking rising prices and corruption in 100 days,” he asked.
Mr. Prasad also criticised the Congress general secretary for tearing manifesto of a political party.
“Publicly tearing manifesto of any political party by a leader of Rahul Gandhi’s stature needs to be condemned,” said Mr. Prasad.
Accusing BSP and SP of making “only promises”, Mr. Gandhi on Wednesday tore a piece of paper, at an election meeting to drive home the point that “mere lists” of assurances were of no use. Many media reports said that the paper resembled to manifesto of some party.
Citing ‘SAVE Children NGO’ report Prasad said,”29 per cent population in the UP was unable to feed the family members due to rising prices. Maximum number of handicaps, blinds and under nutritions were in the Uttar Pradesh. This points to poor management policies.”
On Muslim reservation Mr. Prasad said, “the BJP condemns the divisive policies of Congress, SP and BSP. Can appeasement of Muslims at the cost of Dalits and others is justified. We treat all castes equally.”
Speaking about the twin cities of Noida and Greater Noida Mr. Prasad said, “The twin cities have witnessed phenomenal development and are one of the best developed cities of India.
But corruption and rising crime have prevented investors from coming here.”
During the BSP government industrial growth was zero as majority of units have been shut down or shifted to other states, he said.
The twin cities have become epitome of corruption where innocent farmers were cheated to favour the private builders, Prasad claimed while pointing towards the recent land acquisition row in the area.
“UP needs good and transparent governance which only BJP can provide,” he claimed.
Talking about the high turnout in the UP Assembly elections, Mr. Prasad said, “The high percentage of polling in the last three phases of polling indicates that UP voters want a change and we hope these votes are in our favour.”
Mr. Prasad denied the media report that BJP leaders highlighted the farmers land acquisition issue at public platform, but did not raise it properly in the assembly.
Mr. Prasad also said that the BJP government will initiate an inquiry into the large scale corruption charges against the BSP supremo and UP Chief Minister Mayawati if it comes to power.
When asked about his opinion on the ‘right to recall’ of elected representatives, Prasad said, “The matter is under consideration by Election Commission. It needs to be debated in detail keeping in view the instability it may cause.”