End politics of vendetta: UP BJP tells Akhilesh

The Bharatiya Janata Party Friday sought an end to the "politics of vendetta by state government officials" in Uttar Pradesh.

In a meeting, a BJP delegation apprised Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of a string of incidents where police officials had exceeded their brief and victimised BJP workers.

The delegation, which included legislators and office bearers, was led by state party president Laxmikant Bajpai.

Bajpai said the chief minister assured them that democratic norms and constitutional obligations would be adhered to at all costs.

The delegation also apprised Yadav of the "one-sided action" in Kaanth village of Moradabad following which local markets were shut for a week.

"Despite simmering tension in the area and announcement of a 'Maha Panchayat' by locals, the district administration, rather than trying to sort out the matter, took sides with a specific community," Bajpai added.

The BJP leaders also brought to Yadav's notice the statement and excesses of the police under the watch of SSP Dharamveer Yadav.

Reminding him of similar actions taken by the then SSP, Lucknow, D.K. Thakur against Samajwadi Party (SP) workers in the Mayawati regime, leader of the state legislature party Suresh Khanna said "then also BJP had stood firm against the police action against SP workers".

Bajpai later told IANS that the meeting was part of its "democratic efforts" to sensitise the Akhilesh Yadav government about the brutality being unleashed on its workers and leaders so that no one can accuse them of not exploring this option.

"We are doing everything possible to ensure that our workers are not targeted unduly and will also continue to fight against the government for all people-oriented issues," he added.