Uttar Pradesh government 'patronising mining mafia': BJP

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh BJP today alleged that the Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government in the state was following the footsteps of previous BSP regime of "patronising mining mafia".

"Illegal mining got much patronisation during BSP regime and during Assembly polls Akhilesh Yadav had promised that an inquiry would be conducted in mining scams," BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak here said.

"But following the footsteps of his predecessor, Akhilesh government itself started patronising mining mafia after coming to power," he said.

Pathak alleged that mining mafia have become so strong that they were getting officers posted in districts according to their choices.

"In Akhilesh's rule, districts have been sold to mining mafia. Despite tall claims of the government illegal mining continues unabated," he charged.

Pathak said that while illegal mining was causing loss of revenue, the mafia was posing challenge to law and order.