Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said his party does not want to discuss the “Epstein files” and expressed concern over the growing influence of social media and India’s economic ties with the US.
Addressing the media in Lucknow, Yadav said, “We do not want to discuss the Epstein files. Social media is a big problem.”
He said, “We do not want to discuss the Epstein files. Social media is a big problem. The Epstein files must have been created a long time ago, and came to light after so long. There are many countries in the world that have created their own social media platforms… So, it is important to be cautious in these changing times, and the Epstein files are just an example. You have handed over your entire market to America… We will give them a market worth 500 billion dollars, and just a few days ago we have bought Rafale jets… So Make in India is important.” What will happen? What will happen to Skill India?
Yadav questioned the government’s commitment towards major projects. It aims to boost domestic manufacturing and job creation, and there are allegations that increased dependence on foreign markets could undermine such programs.
Earlier on Friday, the Indian Youth Congress protested at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri amid allegations in the Epstein files.
Opposition MPs on Friday protested outside Makar Dwar located in the Parliament House complex demanding the resignation of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday claimed that he has solid information that links Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to the recently released US Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein. “I have said I will confirm the information I have. Hardeep Puri and Anil Ambani’s names are in the Justice Department files related to Epstein,” he told reporters.
He further claimed that there was pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US nuclear deal and criticized the government’s handling of sensitive issues.
Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, Hardeep Puri dismissed the allegations as baseless and described them as having “elements of fun” and “entertainment value”.
Puri addressed a press conference at the BJP headquarters. He criticized Gandhi for walking out after giving a speech in the Lok Sabha.
Puri said, “We have a young leader (Rahul Gandhi) who made some points before Parliament today. He has a habit of making baseless allegations. There are two types of leaders: one who accepts responsibility in the political system and dedicates his life to social service, transformation of the country, and the other who spends his life in ensuring that the country becomes the third largest economy from the tenth largest economy in his lifetime,” Puri said.
Making fun of Gandhi, the Union Minister further said, “There is a lot of entertainment in what Rahul Gandhi does! On one hand, there are leaders who dedicate their lives and work day and night for the transformation of the country, while on the other hand, elements of clowning are also visible.”