Akhilesh Yadav lashes out at media

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was in a particularly sour mood on Friday as he lashed out against the media for “prejudiced” and “unfair” coverage of the just-concluded Saifai Mahotsav at his native village in Etawah. He specifically blamed an English TV news channel and a popular Hindi newspaper for blowing things out of proportion as part of a concerted design.

He also defended the five-nation tour of eight ministers saying it was a “routine” trip undertaken with the Centre’s sanction.

Upset over charges of neglecting the riot victims in relief camps in Muzaffarnagar while having fun with actors, Akhilesh said, “We have done everything possible for the victims. I am proud of the work done by the officials in relief camps.” He also denied that as claimed Rs300 cr were spent on the festival saying, actual expenditure is between Rs 5 crore and 7 crore.