Several Opposition leaders on Tuesday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) govt in Uttar Pradesh for detaining former CM Akhilesh Yadav at Lucknow airport earlier in the day.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) chief was stopped from boarding a plane from Lucknow for Allahabad to attend a students’ union function at the Allahabad University (AU).
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
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The Samajwadi Party chief posted photos from the airport. “I was prevented from boarding the airplane without any written orders,” he tweeted. “It is clear how frightened the government is by the oath ceremony of a student leader. The BJP knows that youth of our great country will not tolerate this injustice anymore!”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the incident. “This is yet another example of BJP’s dictatorial attitude,” he tweeted.
Spoke to Akhilesh ji. We strongly condemn BJP’s conduct. This is yet another example of BJP’s dictatorial attitude. https://t.co/WliPMBameM
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 12, 2019
Andhra Pradesh CM, N Chandrababu Naidu criticised the behaviour of authorities in Lucknow. “Another instance of BJP’s intolerance against its political opponents,” Naidu said. “Really democracy is in danger.”
Strongly condemn the high-handed behaviour of Lucknow authorities against Samajwadi party leader Sri Akhilesh Yadav. Another instance of BJP’s intolerance against its political opponents. Really democracy is in danger.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 12, 2019
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the “arrogant attitude” of BJP leaders. “Where is the democracy in our country?” she asked on Twitter. “And they are giving lessons to everybody!”
I’ve already spoken to @yadavakhilesh. We all condemn the arrogant attitude of the so-called #BJP ‘leaders’ who didn’t allow Akhilesh to address the students. Even @jigneshmevani80 was not allowed. Where is the democracy in our country? And they are giving lessons to everybody!
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 12, 2019
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, who has formed an alliance with the Samajwadi Party for the Lok Sabha elections. “Is the BJP government at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh so afraid of the BSP-SP alliance that it is resorting to anti-democratic methods in order to curb our political activities?” she asked in a tweet. “This is very unfortunate and this undemocratic step will be fought at all levels.”
Is the BJP government at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh so afraid of the BSP-SP alliance that it is resorting to anti-democratic methods in order to curb our political activities. This is very unfortunate and this undemocratic step will be fought at all levels.
— Mayawati (@Mayawati) February 12, 2019
Amid all this high drama, Yadav issued the following statement:
My statement on the negative and undemocratic politics behind my detention at Lucknow Airport. pic.twitter.com/dP7MvdjOcT
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 12, 2019
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