Samajwadi Party (SP) president, Akhilesh Yadav, did not appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in a five-year-old illegal mining case, citing the ongoing preparations for the upcoming parliamentary polls. Instead, he sent a response through a lawyer, asserting his inability to appear in person due to election-related commitments but offering cooperation to the probe agency.
Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav criticized the CBI, claiming that the agency acts as a wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He characterized the summons as a pre-election tactic, stating, “Summons before elections… they (CBI) act as ‘prakoshth’ (cell) of the BJP.” Yadav emphasized that the upcoming Lok Sabha election represents a battle between those defending democracy and the constitution and those seeking to undermine the nation.
He questioned the BJP’s nervousness, citing the recurrence of notices during election periods. Yadav alleged that the BJP, despite its slogans of zero tolerance, demonstrates zero tolerance in matters of corruption and law and order. Regarding recent instances of SP MLAs crossing over to the BJP, Yadav asserted that the BJP, in its weakest state, attempts to lure legislators but cannot sway the public.
Akhilesh Yadav was issued a notice under section 160 of CrPC in connection with a case related to illegal mining during his tenure as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The Allahabad High Court had ordered the probe, alleging violations in the e-tendering process and the illegal renewal of mining licenses during 2012-16.
