Akhilesh Yadav Promises 'Happy Days' and Job Reservations in Rally Attack on BJP

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, in a rally with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, criticized the BJP for not using its power against those who leak exam papers. He promised job reservations, increased ration and data provisions if the INDIA bloc forms the government, and predicted 'happy days' after June 4.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday attacked the BJP, saying the ruling party always keeps its bulldozers ready but does not use them against those involved in exam paper leaks.

Yadav also said that after June 4, there will be ''happy days'' when the council of ministers (at the Centre) is going to be changed.

Addressing a joint rally with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Bansgaon Lok Sabha constituency, Yadav said, ''On June 4, happy days will come, happy days will come for the press as well. Mantri mandal (council of ministers) and 'media mandal' will change.'' ''This election is to save the Constitution,'' he said.

The SP chief further said that if the INDIA bloc forms government after June 4, the quantity of free ration will increase, and along with ration, (mobile) data will also be provided.

''INDIA bloc and Samajwadi Party have decided that you will be given government jobs under reservation. The Agniveer scheme will be scrapped,'' Yadav said.

Taking a dig at the Yogi Adityanath government, he said, ''They said investment would be brought in UP...but investment neither reached Gorakhpur nor Deoria. They even sold those institutions, which could have provided jobs.'' Yadav also addressed an election meeting in Padrauna in Kushinagar district in support of SP candidate Ajay Pratap Singh, and attacked the BJP for alleged discriminatory policies against those who leaked examination question papers.

He also criticized the Adityanath government over lack of development in Kushinagar.

''The bulldozer of these people (Adityanath government) remains always ready, but when it comes to run over the people who leak exam papers, the keys get lost somewhere,'' Yadav said.

In this election, people are with the INDIA bloc as they have decided to save the Constitution, he said. ''Those who are planning to change the Constitution, people will change them.'' ''They (BJP) have taken away the jobs of the youth...income of farmers has not doubled. Instead, everything in the market is expensive now, whether it is petrol, diesel, or fertilizers,'' the SP chief said.

Later in the evening, Yadav, along with Gandhi, also addressed an election rally in Varanasi. People are going to vote for a change this time, the SP chief said. ''This zeal and enthusiasm is also seen in the 'Kyoto' seat,'' he said referring to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency. ''Those who say that they are a double engine government have cheated the people here. Now, we (two INDIA bloc partners) have got double strength,'' Yadav said. On PM Modi calling Yadav and Gandhi 'shehzade', the SP chief said, ''Both the shehzade are going to give them check and checkmate (final moves in the game of chess).'' Attacking the BJP government, the former UP chief minister said, ''Neither investment reached here, nor factories were set up. After 10 years, when we look back, they could not even make a rocket for Diwali.'' He said this time the 140 crore people of the country will ''make the BJP cry'' for even 140 seats. Now, even their (BJP people) language has changed, Yadav said.

''The people of this country do not want to listen to their old stories. If you make us win from here, we will bring the days of happiness,'' he said.

The seventh and last phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will be held on June 1 covering the Lok Sabha seats of Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC).