By IANS,
Lucknow : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of “compromising” and reaching an understanding with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) after a probe into the Rs.86 crore spent to renovate BSP chief Mayawati’s Mall Avenue bungalow here was turned down.
“They (the state government) had promised to punish the guilty of irregularities and corruption during the Mayawati regime, but now they are compromising on everything,” BJP spokesman Vijay Pathak accused the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) government of Akhilesh Yadav.
“First, the chief minister refused to order a probe into the sale of 21 sugar mills in the state, and now an inquiry into the loot of public money to renovate Mayawati’s house has been turned down,” Pathak said.
He said the SP was voted to oust the “corrupt” Mayawati regime but now the government was withdrawing from its commitment of acting against her, which would be “exposed” by the BJP.
Replying to a question in the House by SP legislator Ravidas Mehrotra Thursday, the chief minister denied the possibility of a probe into the expenditure incurred in the renovation of BSP chief’s residence, saying no complaint was made in this regard.
The chief minister also refused to entertain requests for an inquiry into the sale of 21 sugar mills to private players, which allegedly benefited liquor baron and close Maya confidante Ponty Chaddha.
While Akhilesh Yadav’s answers infuriated the opposition, it also left some legislators from the ruling party red-faced.
“The party had promised action against those involved in irregularities and corruption during the Mayawati regime… We should not behave like this,” a senior SP legislator said.