SP, BSP accuse Centre of misusing probe agencies; BJP refutes allegation

The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party slammed the BJP-led Centre on Monday for "misusing probe agencies" for its political interests, a charge rubbished by the saffron party.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged the government was trying to give a new definition to democracy by using the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department.

"One should learn institutional control from the BJP. No government has done it earlier. ED, CBI and fear -- this is new democracy. The BJP is trying to give a new definition to democracy through the ED and the Income Tax (department), and creating fear," he told reporters at the SP headquarters here.

These have become "new institutions" under the BJP, Yadav alleged.

Later, BSP supremo Mayawati tweeted that all state and central governments till date have "misused all investigating agencies in their political interests, which is not hidden from anyone".

Rubbishing the opposition charge, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Swatantradev Singh sought to know as to why Akhilesh Yadav was afraid.

"Both, the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and ED (Enforcement Directorate) are autonomous organisations, and those involved in corruption are being probed. Why is Akhilesh Yadav afraid?" he posed.

Singh, however, alleged that corruption and crime were at their peak in the state during the rule of the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

"The entire council of ministers under the SP rule was virtually neck-deep in corruption. On the contrary, our ministers and party workers are working for the welfare of the people. For us, politics is a mission and not a business," the state BJP chief told reporters.

On Yadav's allegation that false cases are being lodged against senior SP leader Azam Khan, he said action has been taken according to law. "There is no political intervention from the BJP."
The Samajwadi party chief had alleged, "In every corner of Lucknow illegal construction is going on, but no action is being taken. But a person who is running an educational institution is being framed for political reasons."
"The state government had claimed it will not tolerate any disturbance in law and order, but incidents of murder, loot, rape and fake encounter have increased," Yadav said, adding, "Uttar Pradesh has got the highest number of notices from the National Human Rights Commission."