Celebrate victories, not ceasefire: Akhilesh on Tiranga Yatra of BJP

Lucknow: In a veiled attack on the BJP's Tiranga Yatra organised across the country to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said victories are celebrated and not ceasefires. "Yaad rakhiye, … jashna jeet ka mayana jata hai, ‘cease' ka nahi … ye Bhartiya Janata Party ke log akhir kisko dhokha dena chahte hain (Remember … one celebrates victories, not cease(fires) … who is it the BJP people are trying to fool)," Akhilesh told the media in Amethi. He said peace is very important but so is India's sovereignty. "BJP wants to mislead the people. But they must remember that people are very aware. This time the people will teach them a lesson," Akhilesh said.He said the BJP had earlier planned Tiranga Yatras for thousands of kilometres but the latest one lasted a short distance."People who had once planned Tiranga Yatras covering thousands of kilometers at a stretch were this time unable to take out Tiranga Yatras that could last barely a few kilometers," Akhilesh said comparing the 10-day nationwide yatras that BJP had flagged off on Wednesday with the ones the party had organised earlier."We have heard that people in the govt are saying that next time a crushing response will be given … is the govt again preparing for an attack? Instead, it should assure the people that our country will not be attacked ever again," he said.Asked to comment on US president Donald Trump's announcement of ceasefire between Indian and Pakistan and how Pakistan successfully managed to involve the international community on an issue which was strictly bilateral, Akhilesh said this was not the appropriate time to discuss the issue and will address it at the right time. "At the same time no foreign country should interfere in India's internal matters," he added.‘Comments on Col Quershi show BJP's character'Taking strong exception to MP minister Vijay Shah's remarks on Col Sofia Qureshi, the SP chief said it reflected the BJP's character. "The comments show the BJP's character and their real face. The minister had earlier too made headlines when he cancelled the permission for shooting of a film starring a leading actress from Bollywood. Had the BJP fixed him then, he would not have made these comments," Akhilesh said. Shah while speaking at an event in Indore made a derogatory statement about Colonel Sofia Qureshi. Taking suo motu cognisance of the statements, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered for registration of FIR against Shah who has now sought refuge from the Supreme Court.Akhilesh said BJP leaders from Ballia and Bihar too have displayed similar conduct which was highly condemnable.The Ballia reference was over a video of a wedding that went viral on social media where BJP leader Babban Singh (70) can be seen indulging in inappropriate behaviour and vulgar acts with a female dancer, who is seen sitting on his lap. Babban says the video was morphed and a handiwork of his rivals.