Monday 06 / May / 2024
Lucknow: Dubbing as an "eyewash" the ambitious smartphone scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Monday asked what people would do with phones when the government was not able to extend security to their religion and life and said the parties making mere promises on election eve will be taught a lesson.
"After having failed at all fronts and patroning the corrupt, the Samajwadi Party (SP) government is now hoodwinking people in the name of smartphones," Mayawati said in a statement.
"The 20 crore people of the state are being shown big dreams by the SP government as was done by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi before 2014 Lok Sabha elections but they failed to fulfil them...Now people have decided to teach a lesson to these parties," she said.
"Instead of making tall promises and laying foundation stones at election time, the SP government should wait for the next elections," she said, adding, people already have smartphones as per their needs and pockets.
"What will people do with the smartphones given by the government which is not able to extend security to their religion, life and property," she asked.
She claimed that now the sole aim of people is to wipe out the government of "jungleraj".
Attacking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for extending ex gratia of Rs2 lakh to those who lost their lives in a stampede after the BSP 'maharally' on Sunday, Mayawati said more than government aid, the self respecting BSP workers wanted justice.
Accusing the police and administration of mismanagement which led to the stampede, she demanded stern action against all the officials found to be lax in discharge of their duties.
The BSP supremo also questioned "Samajwadi justice" under which, she alleged, government aid is distributed in every incident of riot, accident and crime, shielding those responsible for the incident.
She claimed that the SP government feels that giving aid can suffice for justice.
Meanwhile, attacking Mayawati for asking Muslims not to "waste" their votes on SP as it would benefit BJP, Akhilesh said they still remember BSP's proximity with BJP.
"She (Mayawati) says Samajwadis are divided while advising Muslims not to vote for SP. They (Muslims) know how close SP is to them. They have not forgotten who celebrated Rakshabandhan and who went to Gujarat for campaigning (for BJP)," Akhilesh said.
He was referring to Mayawati tying 'rakhi' to BJP leader Lalji Tondon and her campaigning in support of BJP in Gujarat.
Putting Mayawati on the dock for her earlier alliance with BJP, Akhilesh asked, "Can she give assurance that if a majority govornment is not formed, she would not take the support of BJP."
On Mayawati's promise of giving out cash in place of smartphones, Akhilesh alleged that she is "infamous for cash. She has the habit of taking cash. Those who leave BSP blame her (Mayawati) love of cash as the reason".
"We have not yet made our election manifesto but they (opposition) are afraid. People have not yet forgotten doctor and engineer murder cases in the BSP regime and the wastage of money in constructing memorials. Her rallies also claim lives of people whenever they are held," he said.
On Mayawati's demand for division of UP into smaller states, Akhilesh said those talking of division could also divide the country as it was also very big.
"You talk of dividing the state...the country is also very big. You can divide it for your own interest," he said.
Attacking BJP, Akhilesh claimed the party was used to lying. "Where ever I go, from Muzaffarnagar to Ghazipur, people say BJP men lie a lot. I have yet to witness 'acche din', after the formation of Niti Aayog, UP has lost Rs 9000 crore. We are running schemes from our own resources," he said.
Claiming that if people of the state vote for development they would elect SP government again, Akhilesh said the SP government has taken a lead on the development front.
On opposition's allegations that his government did not distribute tablets to student as promised, Akhilesh said in a lighter vein, "They (opposition) have given so many tablets (medicine) to people that they are no more needed".
The chief minister on the occasion launched smartphone registration portal and an app related to traffic police.
He also highlighted his laptop distribution schemes and claimed that it "brought a change in the lives of students".
