'Lotus' will bloom in UP, says Rajnath Singh

BALLIA (UP): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today attacked the rival parties SP and BSP again saying the two have turned Uttar Pradesh in a pond of mud, but exuded confidence that the lotus will bloom the same pond this time.

Reiterating the BJP's allegation of worsening law and order situation in the state and the government's partisan role, Singh cited the example of UP minister Gayatri Prajapati facing rape charges and said it was only on the apex court's intervention that FIR was lodged against him.

Addressing an election rally here, Singh said Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav talked of providing electricity for 24 hours.

"The fact of the matter, however, is that the people of the state get only electricity bills, not the electricity" he said.

Ridiculing Rahul Gandhi's 'khaat sabha', Singh said the Congress vice president was one who had over four months back taken to the cot (khat pakar liye the) -- an expression implying falling ill in local dialect. "Now, will you expect him to contest the elections?" he posed.