The Uttar Pradesh Assembly witnessed a massive ruckus on its first day of the session as the opposition Samajwadi Party led by former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav disrupted the address by state Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday. Members from the opposition party raised slogans of “Rajyapal Wapas Jao”. Uttara Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the disruption of house proceedings as anti-democracy and that the opposition should raise the concerning issues in a dignified manner.
Amid all this, Akhilesh Yadav demanded a caste census in the state, saying it is needed for inclusive growth, news agency PTI reported.
Ahead of the UP Budget Session, Patel started to address the joint sitting of the house but members of the SP began raising anti-government slogans with chants of “Governor Go Back”. Although the governor kept delivering her speech amid the songs in the house.
The SP MLAs led by party General Secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav staged a dharna minutes before the session started. They shouted slogans on the premises of the assembly on multiple issues such as farmers and the law and order situation in UP.
According to a report by PTI, Yadav said that his party wants to raise public interest matters in the house session. The matters escalated further when marshalls posted on the assembly premises attempted to evict the protesting legislators, leading to a minor scuffle with the photojournalists covering the protest.
Akhilesh Yadav Demands Caste Census
Amid all this, SP Supremo Akhilesh Yadav demanded for a caste census to be conducted in the state, adding that it was needed for inclusive growth, reported PTI.
He said, "Caste census is not a new demand of the party. Earlier also various parties and SP had made this demand. 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (with all, for everyone's development) is possible only when caste census is done," as quoted by PTI.
Launching his attack on CM Yogi Adityanath, he said, "He (CM) has come from another state, he has nothing to do with the state's caste census. People can get due honour after the caste census otherwise dreams of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar will remain unfulfilled,” as cited by PTI report.
Yadav also spoke on the Kanpur Dehat incident where a 45-year-old woman along with her daughter allegedly indulged in immolations. This incident occurred during an anti-encroachment drive by the state police. Yadav described the event as “unfortunate.”
CM Yogi Aditynath Crticises Opposition Disruption
Meanwhile, CM Yogi Aditynath went one step further and said that the disruptions are not in the interest of democracy. Ahead of the Budget Session in UP, he said, "There can be 'asahmati' (differences) between ruling and opposition parties. The ruling side cannot run away from answering issues of public interest. Disruption (of House) is neither in the interest of democracy nor the state," as mentioned by PTI.
According to the PTI report, Yogi added that the opposition should raise matters with "shalinta" (in a dignified way) and use "Prabhavi shabdavali" (effective words) in the House.
"The budget for 25 crore people of the state will be presented on February 22. If needed, after discussion with other party leaders, the House will also meet on Saturday also," remarked Yogi.
SP Does Not Have Any Issue, Trying To Divert People's Attention: Deputy CM Keshav Maurya
UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya called the protest an attempt to "vitiate" the atmosphere, reported PTI. He added that the opposition has no valid issue left to raise and talk about.
"The state is progressing on the path of development. The SP does not have any issue and is trying to divert people's attention towards them and vitiate the atmosphere," said Mauyra.
He further added, "Whatever issues they have, they should come to the House and discuss. The government is ready to reply to them.” Commenting on the ongoing demonstrations, Maurya said, "We have our target of development and we are focussing on it."
However, he said that the BJP government led by him is prepared for any discussion in the house.