SP snatched cycle from Mulayam Singh, gave it to Cong: Venkaiah Naidu

Taking a dig at the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said the Samajwadi Party joining hands with the grand old party clearly shows that they have lost confidence of the electorate and accepted their defeat even before the state assembly polls.

Naidu said the Congress snatched the cycle [the Samajwadi Party's election symbol] from party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and gave the handle to the Congress.

"Samajwadi Party joined hands with Congress as they have lost confidence. They snatched the cycle from Mulayam Singh and gave the handle to Congress. The hand that destroyed the country, they have given their party to that hand. They have accepted their loss. Both of them together formed disorderly allies during UPA regime and ruined the country," he told the media.

Highlighting the misuse of District Magistrates by politicians, Naidu said that they, who have been serving for over two years, be shifted to ensure smooth elections in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh.

Naidu claimed that the people do not want the Samajwadi Party Government in the state because they have experienced corruption, lawlessness and no development during its regime.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Naidu said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wanted a free and fair election in Uttar Pradesh, but feared the intervention of the ruling Samajwadi Party in the process.

He further said, "We have submitted complaint to the Election Commission against Chief Secretary of state and ADG over violation of poll code and we have also demanded removal of DGP of Uttar Pradesh."

Echoing similar sentiments, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said the Congress and Samajwadi Party alliance now asking the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to enter into alliance, clearly shows their defeat.

"The Congress and Samajwadi Party alliance is already scared of losing the upcoming election in Uttar Pradesh. Ghulam Nabi Azad has also asked the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) to enter into alliance. This clearly shows that they have lost confidence and accepted their defeat even before the assembly polls," he added.

"They cannot conceal their wrongdoings by disguising themselves. People will not forget how they promoted scams, encouraged hooliganism and worsened the law and order situation in the state. There will be change and justice and BJP will win the polls with full majority," he said.

A delegation of BJP leaders led by Naidu visited the Election Commission earlier in the day seeking it's help to ensure a free and fair election.

Naidu was accompanied by fellow cabinet colleagues, Union Commerce and Industries Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minorities Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

Uttar Pradesh is all set to witness a seven-phase election, starting on 11 February. The counting for all seats in the state will take place on 11 March.