Uttar Pradesh: Many SP MLAs in touch for a switchover, says Keshav Prasad Maurya

LUCKNOW: Amid a palpable political wrangling within the Samajwadi Party camp, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday claimed that a host of various SP ranks, including MLAs, were in touch with him for making a switchover to the BJP.
Speaking on the floor of the UP assembly during the second day of the state budget session Maurya asked SP president and leader of opposition Akhilesh Yadav to get his house in order else the opposition benches would be ‘falling vacant’ in the days to come. His statement attained political pertinence against the backdrop of Akhilesh’s uncle Shivpal Yadav showing signs of fretfulness.
Maurya’s remark came immediately after Akhilesh tore into the BJP government accusing it of creating fissures not only amongst people, but also in rival political camps. He also slammed the BJP dispensation for taking credit for various schemes initiated by the previous SP government. “You seem to be suffering from some sort of disease as you tend to bill every scheme as the one initiated by the then SP government. You should get the ailment cured...,” Maurya said, smiling. “You were ousted from power five years ago, have been routed again and have no chance to return to power whatsoever for the next 25 years...even astrologers say so,” he said.
Akhilesh immediately hit back. “Aap Lok Bhawan mein kab baith payenge?” he asked Maurya, in an apparent reference to Maurya’s purportedly blow hot blow cold relationship with chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Maurya, however, retained his calm and said: “Lok Bhawan mein Kamal Khil chuka hai...aapki lakh koshish karne ke baad CM aur hum... dono yahan hain...,” he said, flaying the SP chief and accusing him of being at pain after seeing him grow politically. “This is because you are not a supporter of people from the backward castes,” he said.
The deputy CM squarely castigated the previous SP government for creating hurdles in implementation of various people welfare schemes initiated by the BJP government at the Centre. “It was only after BJP came to power in UP that the works were conducted. But you will not realize it because you do not work amongst the poor. You are in contact with goons and mafia dons,” he said.
The remark seemingly needled the SP ranks as, not surprisingly, Akhilesh stood up. “You should also inform the house about the number of cases lodged against you,” Akhilesh said. . To this Maurya shot back. “I have been a fighter for the cause of nationalism and would continue to do so...,” he said.