‘Govt Scared’: Akhilesh Slams Yogi After Being Stopped at Airport

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj
Video Producer: Hera Khan

Describing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's comments that his Pryagraj (erstwhile Allahabad) visit could have triggered violence as "a cover to hide nervousness", Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav during a press conference on Tuesday, 12 February, said that stopping him shows how "scared" the government is.

The Samajwadi Party Chief earlier on Tuesday alleged that the Uttar Pradesh police had stopped him at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport to prevent him from visiting Prayagraj to attend an oath-taking ceremony at Allahabad University.

"“I was stopped from boarding a flight to Allahabad to attend a students’ union programme. I haven’t been given a reason why but it seems the general impression was that I would create a law and order problem. CM has given a statement to this effect but they are using this as a cover to hide their nervousness because our youth have had enough.”" - Akhliesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party President

"If there was a genuine problem, the police there would have objected, or asked for a change in my schedule. I understand the need to ensure the safety of people and property and would never do something to endanger either knowingly," he added.

He said the BJP has lost Uttar Pradesh, "but more than an election, they have lost the faith that the youth of this country reposed in them".

The former UP chief minister said the BJP has betrayed the aspirations and hopes of crores of young people in their "blind pursuit" of creating a monochrome India.

Law & Order Issue: Yogi on Akhilesh’s Detention at Lucknow Airport

Soon after Akhilesh Yadav was stopped at the Lucknow airport from boarding a flight to Prayagraj, UP CM Adityanath justifying the government’s move said that Yadav’s visit to Prayagraj ‘could have created a law and order situation’.

"“Allahabad University requested that Akhilesh Yadav’s visit may create law and order problem because of the dispute between student organisations. Hence, the government took this step that he will not go to any event in Prayagraj that might incite violence.”" - Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh CM

“The Samajwadi Party should refrain from its anarchist activities,” Adityanath said.

No Written Orders to Stop Me, Tweets Akhilesh

Prior to his press conference, Yadav in a series of tweets lashed at the state government and said that he had not received any written order.

"“I was stopped at the airport without any written order. Even after asking, the officials failed to clear the situation. The only purpose of preventing student union from going to the program is to suppress socialist ideas and voices among the youth.”" - Akhliesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party President

Also Read: Dear Akhilesh, Introduce Rahul and Priyanka to Deputy PM Mayawati

Also Read: ‘Save Farmers First’: Akhilesh Replies to Yogi’s Ram Mandir Pledge

Death of Democracy: Mayawati, Other Leaders Support Akhilesh

Mayawati came out in support of Akhilesh Yadav soon after he tweeted about the incident.