Samajwadi Party leader Kamal Akhtar, who is the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies in the Akhilesh government, has blamed over-population of Uttar Pradesh for rise in crime. The minister was responding to questions put to him by people on a special TV show, Panchayat Aaj Tak focusing on the assembly elections.

Responding to a question put to him by a school teacher in Kanpur, Akhtar tried to play down the complaints of harassment of school and college going girls in the city. The locals claimed that the city had seen a massive rise in such incidents and many parents were thinking of withdrawing their girl children from schools and colleges.

But the UP minister had only a very short and unusual reply: "One or two such incidents may have happened".

According to recently released NCRB figures UP reported maximum number of crimes during the last year. Replying to a query on NCRB figures, Akhtar said, "This (crime data) is because of the fact that Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state of the country."

MERGER OF QUAMI EKTA DAL FINAL, ASSERTS SHIVPAL YADAV



Even though Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav admitting rift in the political family and party last month, formidable UP leader Shivpal Yadav has refuted reports of internal tussle within the SP.

Participating in a special show, Panchayat Aaj Tak, Shivpal said that he never talked about quitting the party. In a stern warning to his son and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam had last month hinted at the possibility.

READ: There are differences but unity of mind as well in SP

QUAMI MERGER: SHIVPAL GETS UPPER HAND?

Shivpal claimed that merger of the Quami Ekta Dal into SP was a foregone conclusion and the party chief would take a final decision soon. "Even Akhilesh can't overrule the decision taken by Mulayam Singh," Shivpal said.

The merger had been a bone of contention between what is seen as Akhilesh camp and Shivpal faction of the SP.

CM Akhilesh Yadav had vehemently opposed merger of minority heavyweight Mukhtar Ansari's party with the ruling party. Owing to strong opposition from the CM, the SP had to overturn party's decision for the merger and declare that it had nothing to with Quami Ekta Dal.

Mukhtar Ansari and his brother and Quami Ekta Dal chief, Afzal Ansari recently held discussions with Shivpal, Azam Khan and Mulayam Singh apparently to finalize the formalities of the merger.

READ: No merger for QED, SP; may go for alliance: Afzal Ansari

'AKHILESH TO BE CM CANDIDATE'

Speaking candidly on the Aaj Tak special show on UP elections, Shivpal said Akhilesh Yadav would be the face of Samajwadi Party in the upcoming assembly elections. However, all the 'big decisions' would be taken by Mulayam Singh as he is the tallest leader of the party, Shivpal said.

"UP needs young leadership. This is the age of technology. Today, UP needs vision of Akhilesh, but he needs time to get some experience," the senior SP leader said.

READ: SP may soon embrace mafia dons party for UP poll benefit

'NO TICKETS TO CRIMINALS'

UP PWD minister claimed that the SP would not field any candidate with criminal background. "Affidavit will be secured from all the candidates. No candidate with criminal background will be given party ticket," Shivpal said.

"Only the winning and loyal candidates will be given party tickets. We will not give tickets to those who are in jails," claimed senior SP leader. However, he was quick to add that people are framed in fake cases for ulterior motives in politics.

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