‘Car’ing CM plays Santa to legislators

A day after turning 39, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav landed himself in further controversy with his announcement of a ‘gift’ proposal to allow legislators to buy four-wheelers worth up to Rs 20 lakh. However, his move to please them backfired, with many ridiculing him for his ‘myopic’ decisions.

Akhilesh celebrated his 39th birthday as a low-key affair on Monday, only to return to the State Assembly a day later to announce his ‘gift’ and pass the annual budget. Soon after announcing a hike of Rs 25 lakh to each MLA’s vidhayak nidhi or local area development fund, he unveiled his ‘birthday gift’. The ‘gift’ will come from the vidhayak nidhi.

“If the MLA wants, he can return the car also,” said the Chief Minister, adding that the legislator can buy the vehicle at a depreciated value at the end of his or her term in office. The move was slammed by opposition and ruling party legislators as well. Opposition members declined the ‘gift’ saying Akhilesh’s decision would send a wrong message to the public.