UP Elections 2017: Akhilesh asks where are 'acche din', BJP taunts him for 'patronising the corrupt and the criminals'

 BJP UP President Keshav Prasad Maurya accused Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of "patronising the corrupt and the criminals". Referring to a report released by Governor Ram Naik, Maurya said it smacked of the Samajwadi Party government's "complicity" with criminals and the corrupt. He said the Governor's report drew attention to the fact that only 2 out of 53 petitions sent by Lokayukt were responded to.
"This report has exposed the corrupt and criminal face of CM Akhilesh Yadav," the BJP leader said, claiming no action or prosecution was allowed against 22 ministers of earlier BSP regime against whom Lokayukt had completed probe. 

Akhilesh's own ministers like Gayatri Prajapati were shielded despite humongous corruption in the mining sector, Maurya alleged. "The UP govt has ignored cases like Jawahar Bagh land grabbing and illegal mining resulting to loss to state exchequer and the CM is shying away from bringing out a white paper on these issues, despite strong demand by BJP," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik has said on Sunday that the SP government's "inaction" on Lokayukta complaints against the previous Mayawati regime gave an impression that it was going "soft on corruption".
In his six-monthly report that came at a time when the state was in the midst of electioneering, the Governor said the UP Lokayukta had sent 53 reports to the ruling Samajwadi Party, but it cared to give clarifications on only two of the complaints.

He said the Lokayukta had sought reports on a number of ministers under the previous government, but there was no response from the present dispensation. The Governor said he had also directed the state to issue a white paper on encroachment of government land in the wake of the Jawaharbagh violence in Mathura early this year, but nothing happened.
Twenty-nine people, including then SP (City) Mukul Dwivedi and Station House Officer (Farah) Santosh Yadav, were killed during clashes on June 2, 2016 between police and the supporters of cult leader Ram Vriksh Yadav who had encroached upon the 270-acre Jawahar Bagh, a government land. 
Akhilesh launches campaign with tainted Prajapati by his side

Having won the intra-party battle and cobbled together an alliance with Congress, Akhilesh Yadav hit the campaign trail, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'achhe din' promise and asserting the new coalition will win over 300 of state's 403 assembly seats.

However, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister set tongues wagging as he kicked off his campaign with controversial Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati by his side, drawing ridicule from BJP, which dubbed the "tainted" minister the new SP chief's brand ambassador.
Akhilesh not only shared the stage with Prajapati, but went a step further by telling the audience that he (Gayatri) would not only win his seat, but ensure victory of other SP candidates in the adjoining areas.

"Gayatri Prajapati is sitting on the stage. He will not only win his seat (Amethi), but also ensure that other SP candidates in the nearby constituencies come out triumphant," the Chief Minister said in his new role as the SP national president.

Taunting Akhilesh, state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said that by sharing dais with Gayatri and by praising him, the Chief Minister has proved that "Gayatri is his brand ambassador and corruption is his (CM's) priority." Under the SP-Congress alliance, SP will contest the Amethi seat and Prajapati, who was sacked by Akhilesh from the post of mines minister over his alleged involvement in a mining scam, will be its candidate.
Addressing the election rally, Akhilesh targeted the Modi government at the Centre, saying in order to take credit it will incorporate in the Union Budget some of the ambitious schemes of UP government and promises made in SP manifesto.

The SP National President also sought to ridicule the 'achche din' promise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying instead of good days, people got 'jhadu' (broom) or were asked to do yoga.
"Our manifesto has so many ambitious schemes for women and youth. I think the Union Budget might incorporate some of them so that BJP can take credit," he said and made a scathing attack on BJP for its demonetisation decision because of which people in the rural areas were facing severe hardships.

Akhilesh, who took over the mantle of SP president last week, said, "Now after alliance with Congress, we will bag over 300 of the 403 Assembly seats." Having won internal power game in the Samajwadi Party, the Chief Minister said he had faced many ups and downs and whatever stand he took was meant only for the welfare of the people. He dwelt at length on the SP's manifesto and reminded the people that whatever promise he had made in 2012 had been fulfilled.
Akhilesh highlighted the achievements of his government during the past five years to drive home the point that he believed in development "while others believe in doing dirty politics".