''Goonda raj'' in UP, SC had to intervene: Modi

Fatehpur (UP), February 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday criticised Samajwadi Patry government under Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for its "failure to maintain law and order in the state”.

"The SC had to intervene to get the FIR registered against Gayatri Prasad Prajapati. 'Goonda raj' is prevailing all over UP and police stations have become Samajwadi Party office," Modi said at an election rally, referring to a minister who was booked in cases of rape on Saturday.

"The glow has disappeared from Akhilesh Yadav's face, his voice has become feeble, he is afraid and looking for right words while talking to media," he said, adding that the SP chief has "accepted that he has lost the game".

 "Why is the policing system so inefficient in UP? Why are complaints not registered? What work culture is it? SP is least concerned about improving law and order situation in UP.

I urge people to elect a government that will ensure safety of people," he said, putting SP government on the dock.

Modi referred to the CM's rally to campaign for Prajapati and wondered whether "the (Cong-SP) alliance was as holy as Gayatri".

Prajapati, who is contesting as a candidate of the alliance from Amethi, was sacked by Akhilesh from his cabinet in 2016 but later reinstated, although without the mining portfolio.

Modi called SP's alliance with Congress an "insult" to socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia.

In a jibe at Rahul Gandhi without naming him, Modi said: "Those born with silver spoon in mouth have realised that the situation is not in their favour on the ground. After '27 saal, UP behal' slogan, Congress was compelled to form alliance with SP because of this reason".

The Prime Minister also said development has been "in exile for 10 years" in Uttar Pradesh. — PTI