SP chief Akhilesh Yadav says BJP trying to divert people's attention in civic polls

Accusing BJP of spreading "hatred" and trying to "divert people's attention" form UP civic polls, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said the saffron people pick up brooms and wear mask to get attention.

The former chief minister also highlighted the plight of potato farmers and non-payment of arrears to cane growers, among others.

While talking to reporters, he said, "Nothing should be expected from the BJP now... its foremost task is how to spread hatred, create problems and humiliate others. In order to divert attention of the people, the BJP leaders pick up brooms or wear masks."

"The BJP blames others (for lack of development in the state), but now it is ruling Uttar Pradesh... most of the big cities had BJP mayors, but even the garbage has not been removed in the past 10 to 15 years," the SP leader  said.

"Except for picking up brooms (as part of the Swachcha Bharat Mission)... I don't think the BJP has any direction," he said.

Stressing that his government had completed the Agra- Lucknow Expressway in 23 months, Yadav said that it was now the responsibility of the present dispensation to construct the Purvanchal Expressway.

"This is the responsibility of the government... they will get funds from the Centre... Niti Aayog is also cooperating with them. They (BJP) were saying that they will connect Varanasi and Ayodhya, but they should at least start the work," he said.

Yadav said that if expressways and 'mandis' (wholesale markets) are made, the state will develop and farmers will get good rates for their produce.