The Samajwadi Party (SP) celebrated the International Day of Yoga today by taking out 'cycle yatras' across Uttar Pradesh with over one lakh party workers taking part in the initiative.
"Over one lakh party workers rode bicycles in their respective areas across the state. They later performed yoga at home as per their convenience," SP spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury said.
SP national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav took part in a cycle yatra at Etawah, while senior party leaders and former ministers rode bicycles in their respective areas.
Directives were issued to the partymen by SP national president Akhilesh Yadav to take out cycle yatras at all the district headquarters from 6 am and later, perform yoga as per their convenience at home.
The move has been touted as a "counter" to the yoga day programme organised by the BJP in Lucknow, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated, along with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
"On the directions of SP national president Akhilesh Yadav, cycle yatras were taken out at the district headquarters by the respective party unit chiefs and office- bearers on International Day of Yoga to spread the message of environment conservation and health awareness," Chowdhury said.
'Bicycle' is the election symbol of the SP.
Though Akhilesh was invited to the yoga day event in Lucknow by the Adityanath government, he was conspicuous by his absence at the venue.
It maybe recalled that when the SP was in power in the state, it had stayed away from the yoga day celebrations of the Centre.
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