Akhilesh hits out at BJP, accuses it of dividing society

In a scathing attack on the BJP, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today accused the saffron party of misleading people and fanning communalism.
Addressing a public meeting at Changerwa Mahotsava here, Yadav said, "BJP is misleading the people, fanning communalism and dividing the society."
He also criticised the party and its affiliates for organising various 'parikramas' without any occasion.
Hitting back at Yadav over his comments, the BJP alleged that it was the state government which was dividing the society by following the "policy of appeasement".
"Akhilesh's government is itself dividing the society by following the policy of appeasement. They are the ones who are indulging in caste and religion based politics," BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.

He alleged that even in police recruitment, candidates of a particular region were given preference.

"To distract attention of the people from poor governance their own failures, the Samajwadi Party are levelling baseless allegations," Pathak said.
Meanwhile, speaking on the issue of farmers affected by unseasonal rains and hailstorms, Yadav said relief was being provided to the affected farmers. "Even those who suffered 25 per cent loss would be compensated," he said at the mahotsav.
Announcing that the coming year would be observed as "Kisan Varsh", Yadav said his government is providing a relief of Rs seven lakh in case of farmer suicide where the central share in Rs 1.5 lakh.

He also said that the state government wants to update technical resources of police department including the ambulance service which will enable cops to reach the spot within 15 to 20 minutes.
"Generation of 500 MW power has also been started in the first phase at Anpara D plant and plans are underway to start generation of 500 MW in 2nd phase and another 660 MW later.
"The state government aims at providing 16 hours of power supply in rural areas and 22 to 24 hours supply in urban areas," the CM said, adding, 24 hours power was being supplied to weavers at 11 places through separate feeders.

The Chief Minister said that special arrangements for weavers to manufacture and market their products in Bhadohi district are also being made.
Referring to social utility of Samajwadi pension scheme and Lohia Awas scheme, Yadav said the target was to cover every poor in villages and cities.
The CM laid foundation stone and inaugurated 54 projects, besides making other announcements at the mahotsava which is organised every year in the memory of minister Raj Kishore Singh's son Upendra Pratap Singh Shubham.