VARANASI: In an unexpected political development, Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party (SP), has come out in support of Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi.

Akhilesh told reporters on Thursday evening that the summoning of Sonia Gandhi was "an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre to scare the Opposition by putting pressure on it."

This is the first time the SP President has publicly expressed his support for Congress leaders. He said, "Nobody could have predicted that ED would summon the top Congress leader someday. The summoning of her is part of the BJP's "divide and rule" strategy, for which it is forcing opposition leaders to foment a schism." He further stated that, while "Misuse of ED is not a new practise, but the current government at the Centre is making the most of it. The BJP has been fracturing Opposition alliances in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and it can now be observed in West Bengal ".

Akhilesh responded to a query on Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) Chief Om Prakash Rajbhar by saying: "Rajbhar appears to be possessed by another party's soul. Since the tenure of SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, the SP has formed partnerships with other parties, but it has never been accused of selling election seats.

 However, Rajbhar has made similar claims against the SP coalition for the first time." He also mentioned his estranged uncle, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) leader Shivpal Yadav "Uncle was released because he did not feel honoured in SP. 

He has his own party, which he should endeavour to strengthen again in accordance with a communist philosophy." He also slammed the BJP government for introducing GST rates on milk and its byproducts, claiming that milk will henceforth be donated to Lord Shiva after being taxed.

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