• Source:JND
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A political controversy erupted after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav took a swipe at the BJP, claiming the party prefers “foul smell” and is building cowsheds while his party promotes fragrance through perfume parks. His remarks sparked sharp reactions from BJP leaders, who accused him of insulting farmers and Hindu culture.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya strongly criticised Akhilesh Yadav, stating that if a farmer’s son finds cow dung foul-smelling, it indicates he has lost touch with his roots. Citing Munshi Premchand’s writings, Maurya asserted that disliking cow dung could lead to political downfall for Akhilesh Yadav’s party.

"Munshi Premchand once wrote that if a farmer's son dislikes cow dung, famine is inevitable. If Akhilesh Yadav finds cow dung stinky, it is certain that his party is heading towards political extinction," the BJP leader said.

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BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also condemned the remarks, arguing that even Lord Krishna, revered as ‘Gopal,’ was known for his divine love for cows. He accused the SP of vote-bank appeasement and disrespecting Hindu-Sanatan culture, calling for an apology. 

"Samajwadi Party, now becoming 'Samaptwadi Party' for vote bank, is constantly insulting Hindu-Sanatan culture... This has become their standard operating procedure... Even Mahatma Gandhi used to advocate for saving cows, was he wrong, too?... The Samajwadi Party should apologise. First, they insulted the country's nationalists by making remarks on Rana Sanga and now they are insulting the followers of Hindu Sanatan culture," Poonawalla said.

BJP MP Sambit Patra further attacked Akhilesh Yadav, linking his statement to Congress leaders allegedly making controversial remarks against Hindu traditions. He claimed that opposing Sanatan Dharma while living in India was unacceptable.

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The row began when Akhilesh Yadav, speaking in Kannauj on Wednesday, criticised the BJP, saying, “Kannauj has always spread the fragrance of brotherhood, but BJP spreads the stench of hatred.” He urged voters to oust the party to allow the region’s development.

Taking a dig at the government’s initiatives, he remarked, ''BJP likes foul smell, that’s why they are building gaushalas, while we prefer fragrance, so we developed a perfume park.' He also alleged corruption in BJP’s handling of stray cattle, claiming funds meant for controlling bulls were being misused.

(With agency inputs)