Lucknow, Sep 11 (IANS): Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak, on Friday hit out at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his allegations that the BJP is opposed to reservation, accusing the former Chief Minister of making “misleading and irresponsible statements” and urging him to focus on development, progress and law and order.
Reacting to Yadav’s remarks, Pathak said the Samajwadi Party should raise issues concerning the state’s development instead of attempting to influence public sentiment.
“The Samajwadi Party is indulging in various misleading and irresponsible statements. Why don’t they talk about the issue of development? Why don’t they speak on the issue of progress? Talk about law and order. You cannot achieve success simply by inciting public sentiments like this,” Pathak said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also criticised Yadav over his comments on the healthcare system in Uttar Pradesh, saying the Samajwadi Party chief was aware of the improvements made in the state’s health infrastructure and services since the BJP came to power in 2017.
“The chief of the Samajwadi Party has an issue with us. He is well-aware that healthcare services in Uttar Pradesh have continuously improved and upgraded. Since 2017, a massive transformation has taken place,” Pathak claimed.
His remarks came a day after Yadav targeted the BJP over the issue of reservation and alleged that the party was opposed to reservation for various sections of society.
Yadav had said the BJP was “opposed to reservation” whether it concerned women, Backward Classes, Dalits or tribals. He also alleged that the party was targeting institutions and religious practices, including madrasas, while arguing that the government had failed to address the issue of rising inflation.
“The BJP is opposed to reservation, whether it concerns reservation for women (half the population) or for backward, Dalit, and tribals,” Yadav said.
He further alleged that the BJP’s focus on issues ranging from religious practices to educational institutions was linked to its inability to provide answers on inflation.
Pathak, however, rejected the Samajwadi Party chief’s criticism and maintained that the state government had made significant progress in healthcare and other sectors since 2017.
The exchange comes as the BJP and Samajwadi Party continue to trade allegations over governance, reservation, development and public welfare issues in Uttar Pradesh.
