BJP trying to divide nation through love jihad issue: Akhilesh Yadav

Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh: Terming BJP as the "most cunning" party, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wendesday accused it of trying to divide the country by talking about 'love jihad'.

"I have said this in the past too that there is no party more clever than BJP. I appeal to the people of Mainpuri to use their mind to defeat it this time," Yadav said at an election rally held here for the Lok Sabha bye-elections.

Alleging that BJP was "misleading" people, Akhilesh said, "Those promising to bring 'achhe din' (good days) are now chanting love jihad... those talking about love jihad are cunning people and want to divide the country and society."

In an apparent reference to BJP MP Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh said, "Babas are talking about love jihad. This same baba was once on his way to Jhansi to spoil the atmosphere, but state government arrested him. We want a debate with him and BJP about which road or bridge they want to build or what development work they want to do in Uttar Pradesh."

Charging the Narendra Modi government with not fulfilling its promises made at the time of elections, Yadav said they had made tall promises like ending unemployment and inflation, but nothing happened.

"What direction the Central government is taking for the welfare of farmers and to deal with the power crisis is known to none," he said.

Blaming the Centre for the power crisis faced by the state, Yadav said the Central government has extended no help.

"We have not got coal. We want to supply power, but they do not want to give coal. They are not increasing our quota of power. They are not even giving the power of our quota," he said.

Terming his Samajwadi Party as the "true well wisher" of the people, he said all promises made by it and 'Netaji' (SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav) in the 2012 Assembly elections have been fulfilled.

"This area (Mainpuri) has given great honour to 'Netaji' several times and we can assure that our association and love for it will always continue," Yadav said.

By-polls for the Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat will be held on September 13. The seat fell vacant after the resignation of Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had also won from the Azamgarh seat and decided to retain the latter.