Lucknow, Apr 13 (PTI) Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday alleged that a “new economic freedom movement” would emerge from Meerut against the ruling BJP, accusing it of pursuing policies detrimental to traders and the country’s economy.
In a statement issued here in the backdrop of protests by traders and their families against the alleged encroachment drive in a key Meerut market, Yadav said that after the 1857 uprising, Meerut would once again become the starting point of a movement, this time against what he termed as “imperialist tendencies” of the present regime and its associates.
He alleged that the BJP had earlier attempted to weaken agriculture through land acquisition and “black laws”, and was now harming trade and business under the influence of multinational corporations and a handful of wealthy individuals.
“The intention is to ensure control of the entire economy by a few BJP-backed billionaires, leaving traditional traders with no space even on the streets,” he said.
Yadav further claimed that even large traders and stockists currently supporting the BJP would soon face the consequences of its policies.
“Now every trader, shopkeeper, factory owner and small and medium entrepreneur is uniting against the BJP as their illusion has been shattered,” he said.
He alleged that the government’s actions were undermining India’s self-reliant economy.
“The bulldozer is not being run on shops and houses but on India’s economic independence,” he said, adding that traders across all levels, from street vendors to large businessmen, would oppose, what he called, an attempt to impose “economic slavery”.
Referring to Meerut’s historical significance, Yadav said the city had not forgotten its role in the 1857 revolt and would now lead the beginning of the BJP’s “decisive end”.
Meanwhile, protests continue in Meerut’s Central Market against a sealing drive and orders related to building compliance in over 850 residential plots.
Traders and residents have been staging a sit-in at the market, erecting tents and vowing to continue their agitation until the orders are amended. PTI KIS KSS KSS
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