BJP attacks Akhilesh on Saifai Mahotsav

Lucknow, Jan 9 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday attacked the Akhilesh Yadav government in the state and asked it to furnish details of the money spent on the 14-day Saifai Mahotsav which ended Thursday night.

Talking to reporters at the party headquarters here, BJP state spokesman Manoj Mishra said several crores of rupees were spent on the Bollywood night at chief minister's native village Thursday even as eight persons died of cold the same night in different parts of the state.

"Several planes were chartered to bring in Bollywood stars from Mumbai for song and dance in Saifai with wanton disregard to the problems faced by the people of the state," the BJP spokesman alleged.

He also said that during the 14-day Mahotsava, governance had taken a back seat in the state as all officials were busy making arrangements at the event.

Bollywood stars like Hrithik Roshan, Parineeti Chopra, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sushant Singh Rajput, Vaani Kapoor and Richa Chaddha performed at a star-studded Bollywood night at Saifai late Thursday.

The Samajwadi Party (SP), however, ridiculed the BJP attack saying that the event at Saifai was a cultural, social and sports event being held for the last 17 years.

SP spokesman and cabinet minister Rajendra Chowdhary said this year's Mahotsav saw participation of people from all walks of life.

"There was sports and culture at show and local talent was given a big platform to showcase their talents," he added.