Bihar has 'taught a lesson' to BJP for its divisive politics: Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said the people of Bihar have "taught a lesson" to BJP for its divisive politics and have shown the country secular and socialist path.

"I want to congratulate the people of Bihar for giving a message to the country and those who believe in the Constitution and democracy through their mandate... They have shown the secular and socialist path and made those who want to divide the society realise their real strength," the Chief Minister said after the state cabinet meeting here.

Congratulating the grand alliance for its impressive show in the assembly elections, the Chief Minister said the people have sent a positive message by giving a third chance to Nitish Kumar, implying that governments doing good work by staying close to the people will be given another chance.

On the effect of Bihar results in Uttar Pradesh, he said that on the development front his government was doing much better than others.

On the decision of his party to pull out of the 'grand alliance', he said that he would not like to go into the political debate as of now.

"...Dadri issue was raised in Bihar , BJP expressed concern about cow there also... I believe that the people of Bihar have taught a lesson to them," Yadav said.

Yadav, who chaired the first meeting of the cabinet after its expansion on October 31, was also quizzed about the absence of controversial stamp and registration minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh from the meeting.

"It's Dhanteras (festival)... All festivities start from today itself so only good things should be discussed," he said, evading a direct reply and downplaying the issue.

Speaking about decisions taken at the meeting, he said an innovation fund will be set up for encouraging those who want to do something new and a museum on Socialist thinkers will be set up at the proposed JP International Centre.

"The cabinet decided hiking compensation for government employees in the event of death during election duty, besides implementing food security bill in phases," Akhilesh said.

"A decision was taken to hike stamp and registration duty which had not been increased in the recent past," he said, adding that land of pattas can now be sold with the permission of district magistrates.