Case Filed Under Epidemic Act Over Alleged Covid Protocol Violation At Samajwadi Party Office In Lucknow

Union Minority Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi lashed out at the Samajwadi Party for “breaking protocols for political goals”.

Visual from the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on Friday (PTI)

New Delhi: A case was filed under the Epidemic Act for allegedly violating the model code of conduct and Covid-19 protocol as a huge crowd gathered at the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow on Friday.

The huge crowd gathered during inclusion of several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including former Uttar Pradesh minister Swami Prasad Maurya, into the Samajwadi Party ahead of the assembly elections.

Union Minority Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi lashed out at the Samajwadi Party for “breaking protocols for political goals”.

“Would you be breaking protocols for your political goals? They (SP) are corrupt, dishonest and even the new additions don't follow any rules. They think of themselves as above law,” said Naqvi.

“Let them smile now...will see ‘mountain of tears’ after the poll results,” he added, ANI reported.

The Election Commission has announced several precautionary and proactive measures for the five poll-bound states, including a total ban on physical rallies and roadshows, till January 15 in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases.

Earlier in the day, Maurya along with another rebel minister Dharam Singh Saini joined the Samajwadi Party.

Five BJP MLAs, including Bhagwati Sagar (Bilhaur in Kanpur), Roshanlal Verma (Tilhar in Shahjahanpur), Vinay Shakya (Bidhuna in Auraiya), Brijesh Prajapati (Tindwari in Bahraich) and Mukesh Verma (Shikohabad in Firozabad), also joined the Samajwadi Party during the virtual rally.

Apna Dal (Sonelal) legislator Amar Singh Chaudhary too joined the Samajwadi Party. 

Voting for the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7. The counting of votes will be held on March 10.