Effort is on to "defame" govt: Mulayam

With the Uttar Pradesh government facing criticism over law and order situation, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today hit out at the opposition saying an effort was being made to "defame" it due to "political enmity".
"Effort to defame the government is made due to political enmity," Singh alleged while addressing a function to distribute e-rickshaws at Ram Manohar Lohia park here.
Referring to the law and order situation in the state, the SP supremo said that considering UP's population, crime rate was "very low".
He said that borders were still not "secure" as incidents of infiltration and cease fire violation continue till date.

Meanwhile, he appealed the party workers not to get limited to UP alone as the party aims to come to power again in next assembly elections.
Appreciating Akhilesh government, he said that by providing e-rickshaws free of cost, it was playing the role of an "assistant" in job creation.

He said that it was realising the dreams of Dr Lohia.
Yadav showered praise on the Akhilesh government saying that it has done a commendable work in education, health, irrigation and all sections of the society.
He further said that it was the only government, which provided financial assistance for critical patients.

Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that distribution of free e-rickshaw has opened the doors of progress for rickshawpullers.
The Chief Minister said that during the first phase, 27,000 e-rickshaws would be distributed for which the government has made an arrangement of Rs 373 crore.
He also claimed that his party has fulfilled all the promises made in the election manifesto.
Urban Development Minister Mohd Azam Khan said that by providing e-rickshaw the state government was attempting to remove inferiority complex in this section, which does not have any dream for them or their future generation due to poverty.