BJP leaders avoiding direct election: Akhilesh

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav today targeted the BJP today claiming that if there been strength in the party, its leaders would have fought direct elections to enter the state legislature.
"They (BJP) have given 'prasad' to our MLCs and taken them in its fold. If they have strength they should have fought direct elections to enter the House. Don't know what 'prasad' they have given to MLCs," Yadav said, attacking the saffron party.
His comments came after the BJP announced that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his two deputies, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, will contest the upcoming UP Legislative Council by-polls on seats vacated by SP and BSP MLCs, who subsequently joined the BJP.

Yadav, a former chief minister, was here to unveil the statue of martyr Ramsamujh Yadav, who died during the Kargil war. He later addressed a gathering in Natthupur.
Continuing his attack, he said that the Adityanath government did not help the families of children who died in a Gorakhpur hospital.
He quoted a report to claim that those who died were mostly backwards and Muslims.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yadav asked, "What was the difference between 'Acchey din' and 'New India'? New India will be formed when farmers progress. Former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri had given 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' slogan for this. This government is befooling farmers."

Referring to Yash Bharti awards given in his regime, Yadav said that the BJP has governments both at the Centre and in the state and said they should give the pension initiated by the SP.
"Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) had launched these awards by giving the award to Amitabh Bachchan. SP always cares for artistes," he said, justifying the awards.