The Samajwadi Party on Thursday claimed that its state unit president Akhilesh Yadav and several other leaders have been put under "house arrest" and party workers tortured to prevent them from leading a one-day agitation against the Bahujan Samaj Party government.
"The state government is functioning in an autocratic manner. It is not even allowing me to reach the party office," Akhilesh told reporters outside his residence.
The SP had announced a village-level protest to press for the ouster of the 'corrupt' BSP government in the state on Thursday. A strong police contingent has been deployed and barricades have been erected at the party office and the house of the SP leader.
"It's a breach of my privilege and I will write to the Lok Sabha speaker about it. I have not been allowed to attend Parliament," Yadav said.
The SP also claimed that a number of its leaders had either been arrested or put under house arrest by the state government. SP Member of Parliament Sushila Saroj has also been put under house arrest at her residence at Indira Nagar, party sources claimed.
"A number of party workers have been arrested throughout the state ahead of the agitation today," said SP spokesperson Rajendra Chowdhary.
On Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh had requested political parties to put forth their views in a disciplined manner and not disturb the law and order situation.
Earlier, the SP had organised a three-day demonstration between March 7 and March 9 against the state government leading to clashes between party workers and policemen.
