Akhilesh Yadav claims existence of 'Shivling' below Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath's residence, seeks its digging

Lucknow: Apparently taking potshot on the Yogi Adityanath government over digging at several places in the state after claims of existence of ancient temples there, Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday sought digging of the chief minister's official residence here claiming that there was a 'Shivling' below it also.

Akhilesh's remarks came in response to a query about digging at different places in the state at a press conference here.

''I remember that there is a Shivling below the CM residence also...it should also be dug,'' the SP leader said, apparently making fun of the diggings at Sambhal and some other places in the state.

Akhilesh also attacked the state government for failing to complete the pending tasks before the forthcoming Mahakumbh at Prayagraj beginning from January 13 next year.

"Many important works are still incomplete, and this government is busy distributing invitation cards for the event," he added.

The SP leader, while referring to a UP minister's remarks that the former should take a holy dip in the 'Sangam' (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Sarswati rivers) waters at Kumbh, said that he had attended the event several times.

"No one is invited to visit Kumbh...people go there on their own...the government is trying to divert attention from its failures," he added.

Akhilesh also demanded elections in the country through ballot papers and not the electronic voting machines. "Even in countries like Germany, ballot papers are used for voting...its (Germany) supreme court has ruled in favour of ballot papers," he said.