UP fell back in development during 'bua, bhatija' rule: Amit Shah

BJP President Amit Shah on Monday took a dig at Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, saying that Uttar Pradesh kept falling back in development indicators during the rule of the two leaders -- whom he referred to mockingly as "bua and bhatija".

Addressing an election meeting here, Shah urged people to vote for the BJP to ensure development of the state.

"During the rule of bua (aunt), bhatija (nephew), Uttar Pradesh kept going back (in development indices)," Shah said.

Akhilesh Yadav has in the past referred to his political rival Mayawati as "bua".

Shah also attacked Akhilesh Yadav and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi over the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in the state.

"From one (Rahul), his mother (Congress chief Sonia Gandhi) is troubled, while the other (Akhilesh) has troubled his father (SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav) and both have troubled the state," Shah alleged.

The poll campaign for the seventh and last phase of assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh ended on Monday.

Voting will take place on March 8 on 40 constituencies spread over seven districts in the eastern region of the state.

Shah alleged that Uttar Pradesh has become "number one state" in murder, rape and some other criminal activities.

"Akhilesh Yadav is claiming that his work speaks. But what kind of work is this that the state is number one in murder, rape, theft, abduction. Is this called work? This is not work but misdeeds," Shah said.

He also took a dig at Akhilesh Yadav for his jibe at BJP leaders over their promise of heralding "ache din (good days)" in the state.

"You are the Chief Minister of the state. You ruled it for last five years. It was your duty to bring good days in Uttar Pradesh," Shah said.

"On March 11 after the election results are declared, good days of Uttar Pradesh will begin, " Shah said.

--IANS

bns/ps/rn