Akhilesh Yadav Slams Uttar Pradesh CM, Says 'Yogi Adityanath Prevented Me from Flying to Allahabad'

Lucknow, February 12: Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday slammed the Yogi Adityanath government for preventing him from boarding a plane to Allahabad to attend a function in Allahabad University.

Addressing a press conference, Yadav stated: "I have agreed to attend the programme at Allahabad University on December 27. I stated clearly that if there is a problem, the authorities must inform me in advance. I have received a piece of information that few officials recced my house last night. At 6:30 am, few policemen were spotted sitting outside my house. As I was about board the flight, the police informed me that I am not allowed to travel to the University. This is undemocratic." Akhilesh Yadav ‘Stopped’ at Lucknow Airport While He Was Going To Attend Oath Taking Ceremony at Allahabad University.

He also issued a letter on the same on Twitter and stated, "Today, I was stopped from boarding a flight to attend a student union program at Allahabad University. I haven't been given a reason why but it seems a general impression was that I would create a law and order problem. The Chief Minister has given a statement to this effect but they are using this as a cover to hide their nervousness because our youth have had enough. If there was a genuine problem, the police there would have objected or asked for a change in my schedule. I understand the need to ensure the safety of people and properly and would never do something to endanger either knowingly. But, to be stopped from speaking, from asking questions that are on everyone's lips- to be prevented from engaging with the youth is just another clear sign of how scared the government is."

"They have lost Uttar Pradesh, but more than an election, they have lost the faith that the youth of this country reposed in them. They have betrayed the aspirations and hopes of crores of young people in their blind pursuit of creating a monochrome India. Their attack on institutions by filling them with people whose loyalties lie with an organisation that harbours people who taken two oaths but are only loyal to one. These are people who have never accepted or celebrated our constitution," the letter read.

This is what I hear from the youth - "We are awake. We are aware. And we will never again be fooled by rhetoric that is designed to divide and conquer," Yadav stated while speaking to reporters.

Responding to the incident, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati tweeted that the move was an example of the BJP government’s dictatorship and anti-democratic. समाजवादी पार्टी के अध्यक्ष व उत्तर प्रदेश के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री श्री अखिलेश यादव को आज इलाहाबाद नहीं जाने देने कि लिये उन्हें लखनऊ एयरपोर्ट पर ही रोक लेने की घटना अति-निन्दनीय व बीजेपी सरकार की तानाशाही व लोकतंत्र की हत्या की प्रतीक।— Mayawati (@Mayawati) February 12, 2019.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee too spoke on the same lines and condemned the move taken by the Uttar Pradesh government. "I have already spoken to @yadavakhilesh. We all condemn the arrogant attitude of the so-called #BJP ‘leaders’ who didn't allow Akhilesh to address the students. Even @jigneshmevani80 was not allowed. Where is the democracy in our country? And they are giving lessons to everybody!"I've already spoken to @yadavakhilesh. We all condemn the arrogant attitude of the so-called #BJP ‘leaders’ who didn't allow Akhilesh to address the students. Even @jigneshmevani80 was not allowed. Where is the democracy in our country? And they are giving lessons to everybody!— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 12, 2019.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu has spoken to Akhilesh Yadav, condemning the incident. "Strongly condemn the high-handed behaviour of Lucknow authorities against Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav. Another instance of BJP's intolerance against its political opponents. Really democracy is in danger," Naidu said. Samajwadi Party leaders also created uproar in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday over the incident following which the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.