Akhilesh sees 'conspiracy' behind incidents of violence

Lucknow, Mar 9: In the backdrop of incidents of violence allegedly involving Samajwadi Party (SP) supporters, party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said that there is an attempt to defame SP by creating law and order problem after its massive victory and promised to take strict action against all those involved.

"No one from the Samajwadi Party (SP) is involved in these incidents... You can get it verified from your own sources as well... but if anyone from the party is found involved, stern action would be taken against them, however strong they might be," Akhilesh Yadav told reporters in Lucknow.

Blaming officers for these incidents, Akhilesh said that as they know they would be removed after the formation of the SP government, theywere not taking interest in maintaining law and order.

"Law should take its own course....The party will not be defending anyone involved in violent incidents.... We will also not hesitate to expel party workers involved in such incidents if they are found guilty," he said.

The SP was routed in the 2007 assembly elections amid allegations of spurt in crime and its 'gooda raj' image.

Akhilesh said that the incidents could be the handiwork of the frustrated elements who have faced defeat in these elections.

A BSP worker and former village head was lynched in Agra while two houses were set ablaze in a clash between two communities in Sitapur.

In Jhansi, supporters of SP clashed with some TV cameramen during which some of their equipment were broken.

A youth died of bullet injuries during a clash between supporters of a defeated SP candidate and police in Firozabad.

About Jhansi incident, Akhilesh it was clash of two groups while Firozabad incident was fallout of misformation that spread regarding victory of SP candidate, who actually lost.

The party will be strictly dealing with such activities, he said.

PTI