‘SP, oppn with govt for stern action against terrorism’

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party and other opposition parties have backed the BJP-led govt at the Centre on stern action against terrorism and terrorists at the all-party meeting held in Delhi, SP national president Akhilesh Yadav said on Saturday.
He also sought action against elements who are trying to give a "different colour" to the Pahalgam attack. He said BJP had a free hand on security issues in Jammu and Kashmir but failed to deliver.
Describing the Pahalgam attack as "highly condemnable and saddening", Akhilesh said that SP and all other opposition parties firmly back the Centre over stern action against perpetrators of Pahalgam attack.
"We are all with the govt on its decision to respond to Pakistan and take action against terrorists," he said, responding to media queries in Kushinagar.
"We stand with families from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana and other states from where people have lost their loved ones in this act of terror. We hope that the govt will take concrete steps," he said.
In response to another question, Akhilesh said the entire country wants that incident like Pahalgam never happen again.
"Hopefully, intelligence will not fail in future. There will be no security lapses. Everyone is saying that there was an intelligence failure on the part of the govt. There was no security arrangement for tourists," he said, adding that the BJP govt could not shrug off its responsibility.
"We hope that the govt will implement the assurances it has given regarding the security of the country, borders and economy," he said.
Akhilesh praised Indian Army for its valour and said the BJP govt left youths demoralised by introducing Agniveer Scheme in army recruitment. "Hundreds of youths from villages in districts like Kushinagar and Ghazipur, used to prepare for years to join the army but have been left dejected by the Agniveer Scheme as they want full service span," he said.
Questioning the intentions of the govt for turning a blind eye towards attempts to paint the Pahalgam attack with a different hue, Akhilesh said: "The govt should ban those who are giving another colour to the incident. The entire country and all the people are standing with the families of those who lost their lives. The BJP should not politicise the issue," he said.
SP chief meets family of mosque case plantiff
Lucknow: On a day's visit to Kushinagar, SP president called on the family of Shakir Ali, the plaintiff of Madani Masjid at Hata area of the district. Shakir Ali died of a heart attack. Madani Masjid had made headlines after a portion of it was razed by district authorities on grounds that it was encroachment on public land. Later, the Supreme Court stayed any further demolition of the structure. Interacting with the family members, Akhilesh expressed his condolences over the untimely demise of Shakir Ali. He also enquired about the case from the parties concerned.
He also visited the family of former MLA Purnmasi Dehati and former district president Shukrullah Ansari in Kushinagar.