Concerned at indiscipline by workers of the ruling Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has pulled up those who indulge in “thana politics” to settle personal scores.
Mr. Yadav, who heads the party’s State unit, made this observation at the 68th birthday celebrations of SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav here on Monday. He said it would be better if the police stations were used to ensure speedy justice to the people. “The common man is not concerned about anyone’s personal enmity,” he said urging the workers to devote their energy to the growth of the party and to reach out to the people.
With the Assembly elections due in 2017, Mr. Yadav is obviously worried about the fallout of the bickering in the party and the involvement of workers in criminal acts. The government is already under fire from the Opposition for the deteriorating law-and-order situation. On Monday, the BJP staged a State-wide dharna in protest against the law-and-order situation and power tariff increase.
Addressing a huge gathering at the party headquarters, Mr. Yadav urged the youth to spread the Samajwadi ideology among the people, and pointed to the dangers of communalism. “The dangers posed by communalism have become manifold; it is a big challenge for the Samajwadi Party, the onus is on the youth to strengthen democracy and secularism,” he said.
Mr. Yadav took a jibe at the party workers interested in occupying land. “For taking the Samajwadi ideology forward, inspiration should be drawn from Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan and Mulayam Singh,” he said.
He drew a parallel between the schemes launched by the Union government and the Samajwadi Party government. He referred to the Samajwadi Pension Scheme and the one of the Union government. “The benefit of the Samajwadi Pension Scheme will go to 45 lakh beneficiaries in their lifetime, whereas the benefit of the Central government’s scheme will come off after the death of the beneficiaries.”
Professor Ram Gopal Yadav was not present as he was away in Delhi. The Chief Minister presented copies of the book Dr. Lohia ka Samajwad penned by the Professor to eight party leaders.
“It would be better if the police stations were used to ensure speedy justice to the people”
