UP elections: SP's Akhilesh Yadav & RLD's Jayant Chaudhary make show of unity; slam BJP

After foul helicopter episode, Samajwadi Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday held a joint presser with Jayant Chaudhary, chief of Rashtriya Lok Dal during which he lambasted ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh. In presser that took place in Muzaffarnagar, Akhilesh remembered Jayant's far and former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh who he claimed had worked for strengning farmers' community- starting from assuring that y get adequate payment for ir crops. 

Besides Chaudhary Charan Singh, SP chief also remembered or veteran leaders, including his far Mulayam Singh Yadav. "y had from time to time tried awakening government. that had become deaf and dumb, y woke m up and catalysed ir programs," he said, adding that he and Jayant were taking forward ir legacy. 

SP rakes up farm issues to attack BJP

Addressing presser, Samajwadi Party chief highlighted  situation of farmers under BJP government. "y promised that income of farmers will get doubled, ir crops will be sold at right time, and even payment will be done at right time, but have failed to fulfil se promises."

"On top of that, y brought in  three farm laws without suggestion and consent of farmers. However, I want to thank farmers for making m realize ir strength. In democracy, farmers stood toger, forgetting everything and forced government to take back farm laws," he added. 

Underlining that to date BJP cant explain why y introduced as well as withdrew farm laws, he added, "It is all for vote." 

'All promises of BJP are just jumlas': Akhilesh Yadav 

Akhilesh went on to warn  farmers that history can be repeated, and added, "Samajwadi-RLD has an alliance, and I want to inform that this alliance will let  law or rule will be brought in Uttar Pradesh which is in mind of BJP." 

"Our party has promised free electricity, a minimum support price, irrigation facilities, and payments of sugarcane dues. We will distribute laptops again. I want to remind BJP...read your manifesto again...all promises are just jumlas... When it feels cornered it diverts to or issues. But this is a land of brorhood that has always rejected negativity," Samajwadi Party chief said. 

Election Commission of India had earlier informed that Uttar Pradesh state will vote in seven phases, between February 10 and March 7. state's second to sixth rounds of polling is scheduled for February 14, 20, 23, 27, and March 3, respectively. counting of votes and declaration of results is scheduled to happen on March 10.