Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of “orchestrating” the election in extremely hot conditions and that it could have been held a month earlier.
Akhilesh, who cast his vote for Mainpuri constituency in Etawah, where his wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is also present, also urged voters to maximize their participation in the electoral process. The Lok Sabha seats went to polls in the third round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters there, he pointed the finger at the ruling party for rising unemployment and inflation.
“We all know that low-priced goods in 2014 are now beyond the reach of the common man. The reason behind it is excessive profits, which are flowing into the pockets of the BJP. Inflation is also a consequence of corruption,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, the Press Trust of India news agency quoted Akhilesh Yadav as saying that BJP workers tried to loot stalls in Mainpuri and detained opposition figures at the police station.
He also said the BJP was frustrated after seeing the support the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance had received so far in the elections.
Asked about BJP Mainpuri candidate Javeer Singh’s recent remarks that Samajwadi Party was a party of “goondas”, Akhilesh said the BJP leaders were frustrated and incited Samajwadi Party workers to make reaction.
“BJP is resorting to all means to rig the elections…” he claimed.
Additionally, Dimple also highlighted pressing issues such as unemployment and inflation, attributing them to a crisis of policies and intentions within the BJP. She said this election was about saving democracy and the constitution.