Huge voter turnouts in UP mean people have rejected SP: Prasad

BJP will form the next government and provide an atmosphere of peace, development and prosperity in the state," senior BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Lucknow, Feb 16: BJP on Thursday said huge voter turnouts in the two phases of Uttar Pradesh election meant that the people of the state have rejected the ruling Samajwadi Party. "The turnout shows that people have rejected SP.

BJP will form the next government and provide an atmosphere of peace, development and prosperity in the state," senior BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. First and second phases of the seven-phase UP Assembly election were held on February 11 and February 15.

The turnout was 64 per cent in the first phase and 65 per cent in the second phase. He said the SP-Congress tie-up for the crucial Assembly polls was "an alliance of crime and anarchy of SP and corruption of Congress". "A businessman is killed in Meerut and another businessman Sharvan Sahu is killed in Lucknow.

In Sultanpur, SP MLA is named as accused in a rape and murder case," he said, alleging that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was protecting that accused legislator. "This is the condition of anarchy and paralysed law and order situation in the state. Dail 100 service of UP Police has failed in the state. After the model code of conduct for the Assembly election came into force, we thought that situation of law and order will improve, but ironically it is the worst now," he said.

"The goons of SP and criminals are creating nuisance in the elections," he alleged. The irony is that Akhilesh still claims 'Kaam bolta hai' (work speaks). "In fact, criminal activities of SP goons are speaking", he added. Taking a jibe at the SP-Congress alliance, Prasad said, "If UP likes the alliance of SP-Congress (as claimed by the two parties), why did they stop joint rallies of Rahul and Akhilesh? I think Akhilesh has realised that the rally of Rahul will ensure the defeat of their candidates.

Congress doesn't like the company of anyone other than those belonging to the Nehru-Gandhi family." On BSP, Prasad said its supremo Mayawati has "accepted her defeat and is ready to sit in the opposition". He was referring to the remarks of Mayawati that her party would sit in the opposition rather than joining hands with BJP to form the government.

On the issue of 'triple talaq', Prasad said this was an issue of women equality, women self-respect and women honour. "More than 20 countries of the world have amended this system of 'triple talaq'. Muslim women are fighting for their rights. The government will ensure justice to the Muslim women of India," he said.

PTI