Congress slams PM over attacks on UP govt officials

New Delhi: The Congress today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over attacks on government officials in UP allegedly by BJP members, saying contrary to his promise of “Uttam Pradesh” the state was lapsing into a “Gunda Pradesh” under the Yogi Adityanath regime.

“In the last one month, incidents of attacks on government officials occurred in UP that belie Modi’s promise of making the state ‘Uttam Pradesh’ during recent Assembly elections, as it is becoming a ‘Gunda Pradesh’,” said Congress leader Jaiveer Shergil.

He cited incidents of attacks on the residence of Saharanpur SSP Luv Kumar, beating of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ravikant Parashar, and “misbehaviour” with a woman Block Development Officer (BDO), while charging BJP leaders were creating an atmosphere of “fear” in the state.

“Saharanpur SSP Luv Kumar’s residence was attack by a mob led by local BJP MP Lakhanpal, and his wife and children were terrorised, but he has not been arrested. The DSP Ravikant Parashar was slapped and beaten by members of BJP and saffron outfits in Agra,” he said.

Shergil also showed a video clip wherein a woman BDO is complaining against “misbehaviour” with her allegedly by BJP leaders in Mahoba, to the minister of her department.

“The minister told the woman officer that (party) workers sometimes indulge in such acts due to over-enthusiasm,” he claimed.

Under the Adityanath government in UP, the BJP leaders are resorting to “hooliganism” and a pertinent question is what will happen to the safety of people when even government officers are under “attack” in the state, Shergil alleged.

“We want to ask Prime Minister Modi why no arrests have been made so far despite attacks on government officials including policemen and a woman officer. If the uniformed officers will be rewarded with slaps and threats to their families in BJP-ruled states,” he said.

The Congress leader also thanked Delhi voters for casting their votes in municipal corporation elections today.

“We hope the election results will enable Congress to touch a new height in coming days,” he added.

–PTI