Samajwadi Party hobnobbing with BJP in UP: Congress

Lucknow, May 16: A Congress leader from the minority community in Uttar Pradesh on Monday accused the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) of “hobnobbing” with the BJP. “By extended a red carpet welcome to yoga guru Ramdev, a known BJP supporter, to set up manufacturing plants in the state, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has exposed the unholy nexus between his party and the BJP,” UP Congress minority cell chairman Haji Siraj Mehndi told reporters here.

“It is for all to see that Bharatiya Jata Party sympathisers are now being welcomed with open arms in UP. This is happening because the BJP and SP are two sides of the same coin,” he said.

The Congress leader said the Samajwadi Party’s agenda to support the BJP had now come out in the open.

On Sunday, Ramdev called on Yadav and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who extended support to his offer to set up his FMCG company Patanjali Ayurved Limited’s new manufacturing units in the state. The Congress leader also questioned cabinet minister Mohammad Azam Khan’s silence on the matter. “It is strange that Khan — who does not otherwise miss an opportunity to promote himself as a minority leader — is mum now.” (IANS)