Illegal Sand Mining Case: "Ready to face enquiry and welcome CBI", says Akhilesh Yadav

The SP Chief indirectly alleged that it is a politically motivated move by the BJP right ahead of the national polls. He added that he is ready to welcome CBI and will answer all the questions the agency will put up.

New Delhi: A day after Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) expressed likeability of former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav facing a probe in connection with an illegal sand-mining case; the SP Chief indirectly alleged that it is a politically motivated move by the BJP right ahead of the national polls. He added that he is ready to welcome CBI and will answer all the questions the agency will put up. Yadav alleged that the party is using the probe agency for political gains ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The agency made public an FIR on Saturday in which it was mentioned that the former UP CM may face a probe in the case. The shocker for Yadav came on the same day the arch rivals SP and BSP indicated their intent to join hands to counter the ruling BJP in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Reacting to this, Yadav said: “BJP is showing its true colours. Ahead of elections we are stitching alliances, but BJP is using CBI. It is not surprising though, now that the party has control over the CBI, it will use it as and when it likes.” He further said: “BJP must remember that not CBI but it is the common man who casts vote in elections. Parties make alliances, contest elections and the public votes. CBI may do whatever it likes; people will give a suitable answer to BJP in elections.” In an interaction with reporters he said: “I will get an opportunity to welcome CBI again. Once Congress had provided me this opportunity, now BJP is doing it.CBI will enquire and I will give answers. But public will give answer to BJP.” The CBI carried out searches at 14 locations on Saturday in connection with its FIR against 11 persons including IAS officer B Chandrakala, Samajwadi Party MLC Ramesh Kumar Mishra and Sanjay Dixit (who unsuccessfully contested the 2017 assembly election on a BSP ticket) to probe alleged illegal mining of minor minerals in Hamirpur district during 2012-16. Yadav, who was the chief minister of the state between 2012 and 2017, held the mining portfolio during 2012-13 apparently bringing his role under scanner, according to the FIR. He was succeeded by Gayatri Prajapati, who took charge as mining minister in 2013 and was arrested in 2017 following a complaint of rape by a woman residing in Chitrakoot. The FIR stated:  “The role of the then mining ministers concerned during the relevant period may be looked into during the course of investigation of the case." WATCH: