SP vs BJP on Lucknow streets today; Cops stop Akhilesh's 'padyatra' to UP Assembly

Lucknow, Sep 19: Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav was stopped by cops during his 'Padyatra' to the State Assembly against price rise and lawlessness in the Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh.

Heavy security was deployed outside the party office even as police said the party did not have permission to hold the protest.

"They had not taken permission. Still, they were assigned a designated route that would not have caused traffic congestion. They refused to take that. We've no option but to stop them here. If they take the designated route, there won't be a problem," said Jt CP (Law & Order) Piyush Mordia.

#WATCH | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and other leaders & workers of the party begin their march to the State Assembly, from their party office, against the State Government. pic.twitter.com/moAM7ztXhW

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 19, 2022

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a jibe at Samajwadi Party yatra saying they can ask questions in a democratic way, but it's "too much to expect" from them.

"The monsoon session UP Legislative Assembly is starting today. People of the state have a lot of expectations from this session. Our govt will be discussing several issues like floods. We'll answer the questions of the opposition during this Monsoon session," Adithyanath told reporters.

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विधान सभा सत्र से पूर्व मीडिया को सम्बोधित करते मुख्यमंत्री @myogiadityanath जी

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- Chief Minister Office, Uttar Pradesh (@CMOfficeUP) 19 Sep 2022

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उत्तर प्रदेश में अभाव और अराजकता के लिए कोई स्थान नहीं है।

- Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) 19 Sep 2022

"There is no harm if any party asks their questions in a democratic way. Samajwadi Party should take permission for any procession which should not harm anyone. Following laws and order is too much of an expectation from Samajwadi Party leaders," he added.

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भारत के महान लोकतंत्र के स्वर्णिम इतिहास में एक और कालजयी अध्याय जुड़ने जा रहा है। उ.प्र. विधान सभा के वर्तमान सत्र में 22 सितंबर का दिन दोनों सदनों की महिला सदस्यों के लिए आरक्षित रहेगा। यह पहल मातृशक्ति के सम्मान, सुरक्षा व स्वावलंबन को समर्पित हमारे प्रयासों का विस्तार है।

- Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) 19 Sep 2022

UP Deputy CM KP Maurya said, "SP's protest is not related to the benefit of common people. If they want to discuss this, they are free to do it in the Assembly. Our govt is ready for discussions. SP is jobless now, they've nothing to do. Such protests will only create problems for people."

Visuals from the march shows, Akhilesh Yadav holding a banner against the Yogi Adityanath government among a crowd of SP members.

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समाजवादी पार्टी से यह उम्मीद करना कि...

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- Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) 19 Sep 2022

SP legislatures, who took part in the march shouted slogans against the ruling party.

The Samajwadi Party has been targeting the BJP for price rises among other issues.