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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.
Allahabad University had already requested the administration in this matter. If Shri Akhilesh Yadav comes to the Allahabad University campus, the hostility between the student unions might increase and there could be a violent clash and it could lead to threat to law and order.
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) February 12, 2019
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
I was prevented from boarding the airplane without any written orders. Currently detained at Lucknow airport.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 12, 2019
It is clear how frightened the govt is by the oath ceremony of a student leader. The BJP knows that youth of our great country will not tolerate this injustice anymore! pic.twitter.com/xtnpNWtQRd
Also Read: Dear Akhilesh, Introduce Rahul and Priyanka to Deputy PM Mayawati
बिना किसी लिखित आदेश के मुझे एयरपोर्ट पर रोका गया। पूछने पर भी स्थिति साफ करने में अधिकारी विफल रहे। छात्र संघ कार्यक्रम में जाने से रोकना का एक मात्र मकसद युवाओं के बीच समाजवादी विचारों और आवाज को दबाना है। pic.twitter.com/151IwzPl1t
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 12, 2019
एक छात्र नेता के शपथ ग्रहण कार्यक्रम से सरकार इतनी डर रही है कि मुझे लखनऊ हवाई-अड्डे पर रोका जा रहा है! pic.twitter.com/eaNrUQX1SX
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 12, 2019
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.
समाजवादी पार्टी के अध्यक्ष व उत्तर प्रदेश के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री श्री अखिलेश यादव को आज इलाहाबाद नहीं जाने देने कि लिये उन्हें लखनऊ एयरपोर्ट पर ही रोक लेने की घटना अति-निन्दनीय व बीजेपी सरकार की तानाशाही व लोकतंत्र की हत्या की प्रतीक।
— Mayawati (@SushriMayawati) February 12, 2019
Even Samajwadi Party’s Ramgopal Yadav blamed Adityanath for Akhilesh’s detention.
“I directly blame the Chief Minister. Akhilesh Yadav had the permission. It was at the direction of the Chief Minister that he was stopped. They didn’t even let him reach Prayagraj,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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