Daijiworld Media Network – Lucknow

Lucknow, Oct 13: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday sparked a political storm by calling Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath an “infiltrator,” alleging that he hails from Uttarakhand and should be sent back there.

Speaking to reporters at Lohia Park in Lucknow on the death anniversary of socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Yadav said, “People who are giving the statistics of exodus… We also have infiltrators in Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister is from Uttarakhand. We want him to be sent to Uttarakhand. He is not only an infiltrator but also an ideological infiltrator.”

Continuing his attack, Yadav accused the BJP of misleading people with “fake statistics.” “If one is to believe their statistics, they would be lost,” he said. “He (Adityanath) was not a BJP member earlier; he was part of another party. So, when will these infiltrators be removed?” Yadav asked.

His remarks come shortly after Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused certain political parties of using infiltrators as vote banks and questioned why infiltration does not occur along Gujarat and Rajasthan borders.

Responding to Yadav’s comments, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said he would issue a statement soon.

At the event, Yadav also paid tribute to Dr Lohia, pledging to continue his mission for social and economic equality. “Today, we take a pledge to reach out to people on the issues he raised and ensure dignity for all by walking on the path he showed. Dr Lohia had called for the abolition of the caste system,” he said.

The SP leader further criticised the Yogi government over the recent alleged gang-rape of a student in Lucknow, claiming that crimes against women have increased under BJP rule. “Rape cases and atrocities against women are rising because the police are being used for political purposes. The BJP is not allowing the police to do their jobs. Encounters cannot be the solution,” Yadav asserted.