Akhilesh hits back at PM Modi, says SP stands for unity and inclusive development

Earlier, addressing a gathering after the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway, Prime Minister Modi launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of having an anti-women mindset and aligning with parties like the DMK that abuse the people of Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday hit back after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the party of being anti-development, saying that the SP believes in unity, inclusiveness and equitable growth. ''Samajwadi Party has always worked to unite people. Our name itself is derived from the Constitution. We believe in removing discrimination and promoting harmony,'' Yadav said. He added that the party stands for the ''Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb'' and ''Hindustaniyat'', advocating a politics that brings together people across caste and religion. Referring to the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway, Yadav claimed that it was the SP which had pioneered expressway development in the state. ''If anyone has taught how to build expressways, it is the socialists. We showed how greenfield expressways are planned and executed, while the current projects are incomplete,'' he alleged. On the economy, Yadav said that achieving a multi-trillion-dollar economy would require safeguarding the rights of workers. ''You cannot discriminate against labourers,'' he said, raising concerns over wages, saying labourers should at least get pay comparable to neighbouring states like Delhi and Haryana. ''With rising inflation, how will workers manage rent, food, healthcare and support their families?'' he asked. Alleging exploitation of labourers in collusion with industrialists, Yadav said that farmers, workers, women and youth are now aware of these issues. Earlier, addressing a gathering after the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway, Prime Minister Modi launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of having an ''anti-women'' mindset and aligning with parties like the DMK that ''abuse'' the people of Uttar Pradesh. PM Modi said that the SP does not like the progress of Uttar Pradesh and wants to ''push the state back into its old era''. ''The Samajwadi Party is not only anti-development but also anti-women. Recent events have exposed their mindset,'' he said.