Akhilesh dubs surfacing of 'Hardik Patel CD' as BJP's conspiracy

Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday accused the BJP of conspiring against Patel community leader Hardik Patel by release a sex CD purported to target the Gujarat leader.

Addressing media in Etawah, the Samajwadi Party President said the fact that the CD had surfaced just before the Gujarat Assembly elections proved that the Bharatiya Janata Party was behind this.

"The BJP is scared of Hardik Patel and is up to its dirty tricks," he said.

Akhilesh Yadav said the people of Gujarat were tired of BJP rule.

He insisted that the Samajwadi Party was only contesting a few seats in Gujarat as it did not want to dent the prospects of the Congress, which he said was giving a strong fight to the BJP.

Also read: Sex video allegedly featuring Patidar leader Hardik Patel leaked

He said he will soon visit Gujarat to urge the people to vote out the BJP and support the Congress.

Asked about Wednesday's discussion between his successor Yogi Adityanath and Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shanker over the Ayodhya issue, Akhilesh Yadav said only a Supreme Court verdict would be acceptable to all.