Like to remain silent on COVID crisis in UP to avoid sedition charge: BJP MLA

Sitapur (UP): In yet another instance of a BJP MLA openly says a situation in which like-minded leaders in Uttar Pradesh are trapped where he fears talking about the COVID crisis may invite sedition charge against him from the BJP government.

Rakesh Rathor, a BJP legislator from Sitapur (Sadar) in UP, said he would rather remain silent and refrain himself from raising apprehensions about the COVID crisis in the State to avoid a sedition charge.

Responding to question on the non-operational of a trauma centre project in Sitapur district in the wake of rising COVID cases, he said the MLAs like has no authority to talk about it, and more talking on the subject could land them to face sedition charges.

He said that he has taken many steps to handle the COVID crisis but alleged that lawmakers like him do not have any stature to speak against the government.

When questions were raised on why the lockdown wasn't being strictly enforced, he sarcastically said: "Bahut acha chal raha hai… iss se behtar kuch nahi ho sakta hai… Hum sarkar to hain nahi, lekin yeh jaroor bata sakte hain ki jo sarkar keh rahi hai wahi thik mano… (Everything is going on well. Nothing can be better than this. I am not the government but I can tell you consider whatever the government is saying as correct)."

The video of him speaking to journalists have gone viral on social media and Rathore told The Indian Express that he stood by his remarks but does not want to speak any further. "I have spoken about my feelings, and it is better that I do not speak anymore."

However, this isn't the first time that Rathore has hit out at his government.

Last year, an audio clip of him ridiculing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his call to clang pots and pan during the first wave of Covid-19 wave had gone viral.

He was later served a show-cause notice by the BJP for anti-party activities.