BSP-BJP in competition on using foul language: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday decried the ongoing slugfest between BJP and BSP over derogatory comments made by Dayashankar Singh against Maywati, saying a competition was on between the two parties as to who can use "more foul" language. He also announced the law will take its course in the matter.

"FIR has been lodged and action will be taken after investigations as per the law," he said.

Speaking at a programme in Lucknow, he said, "A sort of competition has started between the two parties as to who can speak more and who can use more foul language...There have been protests going on for the last three days...the one (Dayashankar Singh) who spoke was wrong and I can say that though one part of it is condemnable the other is true (Singh's allegations of sale of tickets in the BSP)," he said.

He said, "We all know people get tickets in BSP through money and bribe. Even those who are leaving the BSP are saying such things."

The Chief Minister was critical of the language used during the BSP protest rally against Singh's remarks.

"It is right that foul language should not be used against any women. But what was said in reply (by BSP general secretary (Naseemuddin Siddiqui) that too on a public platform, was also not correct," Yadav said, adding it was "most unbecoming" to be told in a city of 'adab' (city of etiquette and refinement) like Lucknow.

Taking a dig at BJP and BSP, Yadav said both should continue their tussle and not "surrender".

"As it is, both these parties have a relationship of 'rakhi'. They can resolve the matter by tying rakhi," he said.

Yadav questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claims in Gorakhpur on Friday night that all sugarcane dues to cane farmers have been cleared with only Rs. 175 crore pendig.

"Since yesterday, I have been busy looking into the accounts...as per me, there is still an outstanding due of Rs. 3,000 crore...from where have this Rs. 175 crore come...such things are being said from the dias," he said.

On Congress' bus yatra, which was flagged off from New Delhi today, Yadav said the party had been in the government for most of the time since freedom... it is the one which is most answerable to questions about the state of affairs today.