Political parties across the spectrum on Friday attacked the Mayawati government for preventing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's from addressing university students in Kanpur.
NEW DELHI: Political parties across the spectrum on Friday attacked the Mayawati government for preventing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's from addressing university students in Kanpur terming the action as "shameful and undemocratic".
Rahul himself termed the UP government's action as "vindictive".
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said Mayawati government's action was self-destructive" in a democratic system.
"This is absolutely wrong and not acceptable in a democratic system. This act of Mayawati is self-destructive. No government should impose such sanctions for achieving their political motives," said Prasad.
Citing the example of late parliamentarian Raj Narain who was locked in a legal dispute with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Prasad said "Raj Narain was never stopped from holding meetings, rallies or any other types of interactions with public despite his differences with the then Prime Minister."
"In this democratic system, freedom of speech is a fundamental right. Mayawati cannot deprive any person of this privilege. Mayawati's actions would lead her to nowhere."
LJP chief and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan said Mayawati has "an allergy" towards Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
"When he goes to interact with the youth, how can you do this in a democratic set-up? said rebel Samajwadi Party leader Raj Babbar.
Senior Congress leader Motilal Vora described it as an "undemocratic" action.
"Meetings are always allowed in states in a democratic set-up. But in UP, Mayawati is trying to scuttle such meetings which is undemocratic," Vora said.
Since youths are getting closer to Rahul and Congress during the young MP's tour of the state, Mayawati government "is trying to obstruct it by resorting to such steps", Vora said.
Union Minister and Congress leader Jitin Prasada said the UP government's action was "really shameful".
"This kind of treatment to a leader is very shameful", Prasada said.
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