SP chief alleges vote manipulation through SIR, criticises govt over protest incident

CHANDIGARH: Launching a broad attack on the Centre, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday questioned the government's handling of a recent protest by the Youth Congress, alleged large-scale manipulation of voter lists, and asserted that the opposition INDIA bloc remains united ahead of crucial elections.

Interacting with the media in Chandigarh, Akhilesh Yadav said the government should have verified the intentions of delegates before inviting them.

"What happened should not have happened. This is the Government of India's mistake. Before inviting delegates, the government should have checked what they were planning to do there," he said, adding that agencies also failed in their duty if they could not anticipate a protest.

On Opposition unity, Akhilesh Yadav said the INDIA alliance was intact and focused on defeating the BJP in the upcoming elections, particularly in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.