Rahul Gandhi’s mindboggling political acumen is popular among the political crowd of the nation. But wait. Hear us out. We have another Rahul Gandhi in making. No prizes for guessing who he is. He is Samajwadi Party Supremo Akhilesh Yadav. Despite the Election Commission’s complete ban on a physical rally in the wake of a surge in Covid cases, he organised a “virtual rally” with a massive gathering outside the SP office. Furthermore, he did a Rahul Gandhi while justifying the offence.
“I didn’t know what Virtual Rally is”: Akhilesh Yadav
Imagine a Chief Minister with no idea about the digital world, e-infrastructure, and virtual rallies. It would be a disaster for the development of India, right? But yet, Akhilesh Yadav is reluctant to learn more about any of these.
In a move to justify the violation of Covid-19 protocols, breach of the Election Commission’s model code of conduct (MCC), Akhilesh Yadav stated, “I didn’t know definition of Virtual Rally.”
He added, “Hame laga kuch log saamne rahenge, aur virtually sabko bheja jayega.”
I didn't know definition of Virtual Rally: Akhilesh Yadav
Imagine such idiots as CM. pic.twitter.com/EfEmLimozX
— Ankur Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@iAnkurSingh) January 15, 2022
Akhilesh Yadav’s virtual rally
Akhilesh Yadav, on Friday, held a “virtual rally” to induct former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders into his party. Approximately thousands of people were present at the event, held at the Samajwadi Party headquarters. SP Supremo Akhilesh addressed the gathering on stage with several leaders — including former ministers in the Yogi Adityanath cabinet, Swami Prasad Maurya and Dharam Veer Saini, and five MLAs who resigned from the state assembly to switch from the BJP to the SP.
Akhilesh shamelessly violated the norms despite EC’s order to bar physical rallies. Earlier as reported by TFI, The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra on Saturday, 8 January declared that “All political rallies will be prohibited till 15 January.”
“No physical rally of political parties, probable candidates or any other group related to elections shall be allowed till 15 January,” Chandra stated.
Read more: Why opposition is miffed at the idea of digital rallies?
FIR against Samajwadi Party
In the aftermath of the SP’s half-witted move, Lucknow Police have registered an FIR against several leaders. Lucknow Commissioner of Police reported that “An FIR has been registered against nearly 2,500 Samajwadi Party leaders under Sections 188, 269, 270 and 341 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with relevant sections of the Epidemic Diseases Act.”
Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash also informed that the Samajwadi Party’s virtual rally was held without prior permission. “Upon receiving information, a police team and magistrate were sent to the SP office. Action will be taken on the basis of their report,” DM Prakash told.
Dinesh Singh Bisht, in charge of Gautam Palli police station, has also been suspended by the EC on grounds of gross negligence in the discharge of duties.