Akhilesh takes a dig at BJP’s 'double standard'

Lucknow, Oct 12: In an apparent hint at Jay Shah scandal, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav said nepotism in political families is always criticised but nobody talks about nepotism in rich and influential families. Addressing party workers here, Mr Yadav said that the family feud in SP was being talked about across the country, but nobody was willing to come forth on how a politician’s son starts from scratch and amasses thousands of crores in a short span of time. Mr Yadav said sarcastically that even he would like to start a business with Rs50,000 in hand, but was clueless on how to turn that amount into crores in a short time span. The former chief minister said his party workers were being targeted by those in power as SP enjoyed a strong and vast vote bank. He said that he had the blessings of his father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Highlighting achievements of his tenure as chief minister, Mr Yadav said his government had provided land for All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Rae Bareli. The Army school in Kannauj was transferred to Jhansi and one school was sanctioned for Mainpuri. Alleging that corruption could not be eliminated after demonetisation, he claimed that economic growth in the country was affected resulting in rise in unemployment. Talking about Goods and Services Tax (GST), Mr Yadav said GST was implemented without any prior planning. Mr Yadav said that some people are doing politics of religion and caste while public wants development. UNI