We will rescue 'elephants': UP CM in dig at BSP symbol

Lucknow, Mar 26: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday had a dig at the election symbol (elephant) of main opposition BSP, saying his government will soon set up a rescue centre for the pachyderms in his home district Etawah.

"Like the earlier SP government which owing to struggle of NGOs set up rescue centres for bear so that they are not made to perform in shows, we are soon going to cancel the licences of elephants (for making them do commercial works)," he said.

He was speaking on the budget of the Home department in the state Assembly.

"The elephants will now live in Etawah," he said amid peals of laughter from both treasury and opposition benches.

"We are now setting up an elephant rescue centre in Etawah and will make sure that all your elephants are kept there in safety. We are also making sure that people do not keep elephants and use them for commercial purposes in wedding and fairs," he said.

The matter came up when Leader of the Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya made a comment on the law and order situation saying it was so bad that leopards and tigers are roaming on the streets.

Even dogs have become wayward, he said. Yadav retorted asking, "Why are you leaving out your own symbol, the elephant, which causes maximum damage?"

The BSP leader congratulated the Chief Minister for his growing proximity to elephants saying, "I am so happy you are now taking the elephant to Etawah and will keep him there?" Maurya said development in the Akhilesh government was moving at snail's pace. To this, the Chief Minister retorted that "tortoise which moves slowly win the race. But, you are always in a hurry."

PTI