Is BJP so afraid? Mayawati after Akhilesh Yadav is stopped at airport

Lucknow, Feb 12: Commenting on Akhilesh Yadav's detention, BSP supremo Mayawati on Tuesday said it was extremely condemnable and asked whether the ruling BJP was afraid of their alliance because of which it is "resorting to anti-democratic methods".

She described the episode as "anti-democratic" and "an example of total dictatorship of BJP government". "This is very unfortunate and this undemocratic step will be fought at all levels," Mayawati tweeted.

"Is the BJP government at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh so afraid of BSP-SP alliance that it is resorting to anti-democratic methods to curb our political activities," Mayawati said in her tweet.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav was on Tuesday stopped by authorities at Lucknow airport in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad.

Yadav said he was to fly to Prayagraj from Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport to attend an event at the Allahabad University.

Sharing a photo on Twitter, the former Chief Minister said, "I was prevented from boarding the airplane without any written orders. Currently detained at Lucknow airport.

It is clear how frightened the govt is by the oath ceremony of a student leader. The BJP knows that youth of our great country will not tolerate this injustice anymore!"

Photos shared by Yadav show a police officer standing at the stairs of the aircraft, blocking the path to boarding.

Later, the Samajwadi Party chief released a statement over his detention, calling it "the remote control politics of two and a half men".

"But, to be stopped from speaking, from asking questions that are on everyone's lips- to be prevented from engaging with the youth is just another clear sign of how scared the government is," the statement said.