Speaking to mediapersons in Jhansi, Akhilesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing politics in the name of nationalism, Vande Matram and martyred Army jawans.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday stirred a controversy when he asked "if any Indian Army jawan from Gujarat was martyred so far".
Speaking to mediapersons in Jhansi, Akhilesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing politics in the name of nationalism, Vande Matram and martyred Army jawans.
In a bid to support the jawans, he quipped: "We have seen jawans from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and South India martyred. But why no jawans from Gujarat are getting martyred." The statement soon found trending on twitter #AkhileshinsultsMartyrs and has not been taken very kindly by the people.
In the same vein, Akhilesh issued another statement: "If Modi can make so many false promises to win, then I offer Lohia Awas at Moon as my election promise for 2019 polls."
This is not the first time that Akhilesh is targetting PM Modi. But his statement on Wednesday making fun of martyrdom by Army jawans has put him in bad light.
Akhilesh also faced criticism when he entered into a verbal dual with Army officers when he went to the residence of Captain Ayush Yadav in Kanpur to pay tribute. Army officers had reportedly stopped him entering martyred captain's house as a few senior officers were present there. "I am bigger than them," was his curt reply and he pushed them to enter the house.
He also faced criticism from the BJP for not visiting two CFRPF men from Uttar Pradesh who laid their life in naxal attack and no personal tribute to other Army jawans martyred from the state. He was charged with paying tributes to Captain Ayush only, as the martyred jawan belonged to Yadav caste.
BJP MP RK Singh termed his statement as manifestation of his frustration after losing assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. "You can't divide martyrdom on caste, religion and boundaries of state. It should be kept above politics.
Being former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and a responsible head of a political party, Akhilesh should offer unconditional apology to the nation and the Army in particular," he said.
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