Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday engaged ugly war of words over broad daylight shootout in Prayagraj. Umesh Pal, the prime witness in the 2005 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal murder case, was shot dead at his residence, police said. One of his gunners, who too was hit in the firing, died later at a hospital, they said. The main accused in the Raju Pal murder is mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, who is currently lodged in a Gujarat Jail.
A visibly agitated CM was responding to the allegations levied by Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. A ruckus was created after a heated exchange between both leaders.
"The way bombs were hurdled yesterday, it is clear that this govt has completely failed and a gang war-like situation has developed. Is this Ramrajya where guns are being fired openly? Police is a complete failure and BJP is responsible," Akhilesh alleged.
Hitting back at Akhilesh, Yogi said, "Government is working on the incident of Prayagraj on the basis of zero-tolerance policy. But the criminal who was involved in the incident, was he not nurtured by Samajwadi Party? Was he not made MP by SP? We'll not spare these mafias. The mafia who has done this act is absconding from the state today, whoever the mafia may be, our government will not let 'mafia raj' prevail in the state."
"Statements like ladke hain, galti ho jaati hai...were made. State guest house incident happened. This shows how much SP respects women women. Jo apne pita ka samman nai kiya...," a visibly angry CM countered.