UP Polls: SP Chief Slams BJP Govt. Says: "It's A Farewell For Team Yogi"

Mr. Yadav also said that the BJP indulges in "negative politics"

Lucknow: Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Election Polls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slams Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), said the party's 'double engine' model seems to have failed, with its central leadership not giving the Uttar Pradesh chief minister the seat of his choice to contest the state assembly polls.

Earlier, there was speculation that CM Yogi Adityanath may be contesting from Ayodhya, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the party has decided to put him in the lead elections from Gorakhpur, his traditional political turf that he has represented in Lok Sabha for five consecutive terms. Gorakhpur (Urban) is known to be Chief Minister's stronghold.

As per a senior BJP leader, Chief Minister Adityanath is willing to contest any of the 403 seats in the state.

While speaking to reporters at the Samajwadi Party (SP) office, Mr Yadav said that there is "a chief minister who seeks a ticket, and does not get a ticket of his choice."

SP Chief also added, "Sadhus and seers say that if he comes to Faizabad (Ayodhya), then he will be given a farewell. The BJP has already given him a farewell by sending him off to Gorakhpur."

Elections to the Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases, starting from February 10, while counting of votes will be held on March 10, along with four other poll-bound states – Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa.

Sharpening his attack on the BJP, the SP chief said, "In the fight between Lucknow and Delhi, I think that the engines in the 'double engine' government are colliding with each other." "At times, I feel that the 'Delhiwala' and the 'Lucknowwala' are trying to take out the wheels of each other's engine. I would like to congratulate them on the send-off to Gorakhpur," he said.

Mr. Yadav also said that the BJP indulges in "negative politics."

While slamming BJP Govt., Mr Yadav said, "The BJP has been speaking lies, indulging in negative and divisive politics. It has indulged in politics of hatred and to make people fight each other. We will do positive politics, politics of development and prosperity. We will do social justice, and move forward taking everyone along (with us)."