Yogi, Akhilesh trade fresh barbs over bulldozer

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Lucknow: The war of words between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav got shriller on Wednesday with the two trading fresh barbs on the issue of bulldozer action.
In the latest exchange, the CM took up the statement that Akhilesh made on Tuesday that immediately after the SP govt is formed after 2027 assembly polls, all bulldozers in the state will be directed towards Gorakhpur – the district which Yogi Adityanath belongs to.
In an apparent reference to Akhilesh’s comment, the CM said: “Ab Tipu bhi chale sultan banne’ (Now, Tipu wants to become an emperor).” Tipu happens to be the nickname of Akhilesh Yadav.
Suggesting that moving a bulldozer requires courage and intelligence, the CM said everyone could not get the bulldozer moving. It requires both ‘dil’ and ‘dimaag’ (heart and mind), he said, adding that “only those who have these two qualities can operate it”.
Accusing the SP of hobnobbing with criminal elements when the party was in govt, Yogi said those who are known for surrendering before mafia dons, don’t have courage to use bulldozers against the outlaws.
“Not everyone’s hands can fit on bulldozers. It takes courage and brains. One should have stamina and resilience like a bulldozer to handle it,” Yogi said during events in Lucknow and Prayagraj’s Phulpur.
“Those who bowed before the mafia cannot run bulldozers. They will get heart attacks once they see bulldozers,” he said.
Yogi said that the past leaders, through their anarchic and corrupt activities, pushed the state into the flames of riots, creating a crisis of identity for the youth of the state. “These leaders, who once incited caste and religious conflicts, now seek to mislead the people of Uttar Pradesh by adopting new guises,” the CM said.
Hours later, when questioned by the newsmen about CM’s comment, Akhilesh said bulldozers don’t have a mind of their own. “Bulldozers don’t have brains. They have a steering (wheel). It is the steering that gives direction to the bulldozers. People of Uttar Pradesh can change anyone’s steering anytime. People in Delhi can also change the steering anytime,” he said.
Later, the former UP CM took to social media and said in a post: “If you and your bulldozers are so successful then form a separate (political) party which has a bulldozer as its symbol and contest elections. The result will shatter your misconceptions and delusions. As on date, the situation is that you are in BJP but for namesake only. Sooner or later, you will have to form a separate party.” Though the post did not name anyone, it was widely believed that it was aimed at the CM.
This war of words two over bulldozer action started after the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that offences committed by a criminal could not be the ground for bulldozing his house and readied itself to lay down pan-India guidelines to stop states from resorting to ‘bulldozer justice’ as a deterrent against crimes.
Hours later, Akhilesh described the Supreme Court order as a “bulldozer of justice” and that it was set to demolish an “unconstitutional practice”.
Addressing party men at SP headquarters on Tuesday, Akhilesh said, “When the SP govt will be formed in 2027 (assembly polls), all bulldozers of the state will be directed to Gorakhpur.”