BJP leaders are using PR companies to build image: Akhilesh

Ahmedabad: Rubbishing the Gujarat development model of Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Singh Yadav today dubbed BJP leaders “chalu” (cunning) and accused them of resorting to “gimmickry” to spruce up their image in poll season. [caption id=“attachment_1476303” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Akhilesh Yadav. AFP.[/caption] “BJP ke log chalu hai (BJP leaders are cunning). People must remain careful. They (BJP leaders) are taking help of PR companies to project a certain image,” Akhilesh said while interacting with reporters at Ahmedabad airport where he landed after addressing a rally in Patan in North Gujarat. Responding to a query on development in Gujarat, Akhilesh said, “Gujarat stands nowhere in terms of development when compared to Uttar Pradesh. UP is certainly ahead of Gujarat. The Samajwadi Party government in UP provided monetary help to girl students, (gave) free water to farmers and more than 15 lakh laptops to students,” he said. “If Gujarat government wants to provide 15 lakh laptops, it will take them at least 5 years,” Akhilesh claimed. Taking on Narendra Modi, Akhilesh said the people of Uttar Pradesh will stop him from becoming prime minister and the SP will “stall” BJP in the state. “BJP’s PM candidate is backed by RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal. Because of mistakes committed by Congress, BJP has surged ahead so much. I want to tell you that people of UP will stop him (Modi) from becoming PM and SP will stall BJP in UP,” he said. Akhilesh said he was hopeful of Third Front forming government at Centre. Akhilesh said he wanted SP candidates to win in large numbers in Gujarat. “Just like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, the SP is also contesting in Gujarat. I want our candidates to open their accounts here by winning maximum number of seats,” he added. He also took a dig at Modi for “blaming” the SP government for not taking care of Gir lions given by Gujarat to UP. “We have always maintained cohesive relations with Gujarat and that’s why we gave hyenas for lions. We (have) made a 300-acre facility for lions. If he (Modi) is so much concerned about lions, why did not he pay visit to that facility during his visits?” Akhilesh asked. PTI