Akhilesh Yadav defends 'Saifai Mahotsav' extravaganza

Condemning the Chief Minister for his remarks, the opposition said his tone and tenor against the media was dangerous for the democracy.

“The tone and tenor in which Akhilesh attacked media is dangerous for the democracy', BJP state president Lakshmi Kant Bajpai told PTI.

Talking about the participation of film stars in the Mahotsav, Akhilesh said, “They have come earlier too when SP was not in power... It's not right to humiliate them (the artistes) and ask how did they take part in the programme.” He lamented that though Bollywood superstar Salman Khan visited a hospital and offered help to children there it was not covered by the media.

The Chief Minister, who apparently showed some discomfort taking questions from the media, said the aim of the mahotsav is to encourage the region's and state's culture.  “It gives a platform to the young artistes , small traders and some farmers and some Rs. 6 or 7 crores are spent every year and it would be the same this time also,” he added.

Akhilesh also cancelled plans to attend ‘Dedh Ishqiya' premiere with Madhuri Dixit after facing flak over “Saifai Mahotsav”.