Some forces trying to disrupt communal harmony in UP: Akhilesh

On the occasion, distributes free laptops to boys and girls who have cleared their Class XII exams

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today dismissed allegations the Uttar Pradesh government was "partisan" towards some communities and said while the administration was working for the welfare of people, some forces were trying to disrupt communal harmony in the state.

"The opposition parties have often accused us of being partisan and pursuing vote-bank politics. It is blatantly false as our schemes, be it free laptops to students, the Kanya Vidya Dhan scheme, Berozgari Bhatta (unemployment doles), have all been made available to people belonging to all communities.

"It seems there are forces which are trying to disrupt communal harmony in the state," Yadav said at a function here.

On the occasion, he distributed free laptops to boys and girls who have cleared their Class XII exams.

"These forces will not be allowed to succeed and the SP government will continue with its initiatives to ensure all-round development of the state. In less than two years, we have achieved what the preceding Mayawati government could not during its full five-year term. This appears to be causing heartburn among all our political adversaries," Yadav said.

"The state government is making all out efforts to bring rapid industrial development in UP, which is the most populous state of the country. Without the progress of UP, India can not prosper.

"We are hopeful that investors will start thronging the state soon due to the favourable investment climate that has been brought about by our initiatives", he added.

Yadav's visit was marred by protests of students angry over the government's alleged "betrayal" over caste-based reservation at all stages in the provincial civil services.

Nearly a score of pro-reservation activists were arrested from the vicinity of the venue of the function, minutes before the Chief Minister's helicopter landed there.

The UP Public Service Commission had withdrawn its controversial reservation policy earlier this year following opposition from those against quotas and the state government's claim that it was not taken into confidence.

After the Chief Minister left the venue to attend some other functions in the city, a group of youngsters went on the rampage and vandalised chairs claiming that they were not given laptops though they had got their names enrolled among the beneficiaries.

Police resorted to lathi-charge to quell the protesters, some of whom were injured.

According to official sources, nearly 14,000 students were given free laptops at today's function. Among the recipients, 50 boys and girls were called to the podium to receive the laptop from the Chief Minister himself.

Nearly 70,000 students across the district are to be given free laptops by October 26.