In poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, opposition leader Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday taunted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, after the income tax department raided at least three of his close Samajwadi Party aides.
Continuing his attack on the ruling party with the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections around the corner, the former UP chief minister said the BJP now stood exposed before the people, who were firmly on the side of the Opposition. He said like Congress in the past, the BJP is also using central agencies to intimidate the Opposition.
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The Samajwadi Party leader said after the income tax raids, the BJP will continue to use Central agencies, and the Enforcement Director and Central Bureau of Investigations teams are yet to come into to picture but that will not stop the march of his party.
A team of income tax sleuths from Varanasi arrived in Mau early on Saturday and began searches at Samajwadi Party leader Rajeev Rai’s home in the Sahadatpura. On learning of the raids, SP workers gathered outside Rai’s residence and raised an outcry. Police have been posted to maintain law and order and keep the situation under control.
The tax department also conducted raids at the premises of RCL group owner Manoj Yadav in Mainpuri and Jainendra Yadav in Lucknow. Both are said to be close to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.