Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday assured party workers that threat of Centre government sending investigating agencies likes Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) after him will not deter him from fighting for those who have reposed their trust in him.
He was addressing the day-long national convention of the Samajwadi Party in Agra, where he was re-elected party president for five years.
The party constitution, which fixes president’s tenure to three years, was amended to extend it to five years for Akhilesh.
SP leaders too expressed confidence in their president and exhorted him to lead the fight against the BJP, both at the centre and in the state.
Apart from Akhilesh, senior leaders like Ram Gopal Yadav and Azam Khan also spoke on the occasion.
While none of them spoke about Congress or the Bahujan Samaj Party, almost all speakers targeted the BJP.
“If at all any party can stop the BJP, it is the Samajwadi Party and we should strive to win the maximum seats during 2019 elections,” said Akhilesh while assuring the senior leaders that the party ideology will be followed in letter and spirit.
Attacking the state government for targeting Agra Lucknow Expressway and Lucknow’s riverfront development project, Akhilesh said, “The regime has blocked fund for development schemes of ours and brought growth to a halt.”
{{/usCountry}}Attacking the state government for targeting Agra Lucknow Expressway and Lucknow’s riverfront development project, Akhilesh said, “The regime has blocked fund for development schemes of ours and brought growth to a halt.”
{{/usCountry}}Urging people to be wary of the BJP, Akhilesh said, they would come up with‘opium’ to intoxicate voters soon after the polls are announced.
He also promised to revive the holidays cancelled by BJP regime once his party comes to power in state.
Ram Gopal Yadav flayed the BJP for unleashing the ‘rule of terror’ and giving no space for opposition.
He also blamed the centre and state governments for misleading the masses through hollow promises.
Senior party leader and former cabinet minister Azam Khan was more direct in attack and dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as ‘badshah’ and chief minister Adityanath Yogi as ‘Chhote Badshah.’
Azam began his address by praising party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav for taking on the fascist forces after the demolition of Babri Mosque on December 6, 1992.
“Our ideals include Ram and Krishna but chief minister should also tell if he too holds Prophet Mohammad and Jesus Christ as his ideals,” he said.
He condemned the use of CBI in harassing former chief minister of Bihar Lalu Prasad Yadav.
“The CBI can be used against us too but fight against forces like BJP will continue as they (BJP) are more inclined on dividing Muslims and Hindus instead of addressing issues like unemployment and promises they made,” he said.
SP MP Jaya Bachhan said she was happy that the command of the party is now in the hands of young Akhilesh.
She requested Akhilesh to reserve at least 10 % tickets for women when party goes for next election.
Read: Shivpal Yadav congratulates nephew on being elected as party president
Former cabinet minister Naresh Agarwal urged party workers to bring Akhilesh back to power so that the development in the state continues.
SP vice president Kiranmoy Nanda dubbed Modi and Shah as the biggest villains who are out to destroy the democracy in India.