Swaraj Abhiyan leader, Yogendra Yadav has demanded that the UP government should declare the state as drought-hit and Bundelkhand region as calamity-hit.
Terming the drought situation in Uttar Pradesh as alarming, former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Yogendra Yadav today demanded that the state be declared as "drought-hit" and the most affected Bundelkhand region "calamity-hit".
"Uttar Pradesh has been the centre of the drought which has hit the country...the situation in the eastern and Bundelkhand region is such that it could take the shape of a famine... for the animals it is already a famine," said Yogendra Yadav.
The 52-year-old leader who is here on the invitation of Akhilesh Yadav said he will be raising the issue of drought in a forceful manner in his meeting with the Chief Minister and demand that the state be declared as drought-hit and Bundelkhand calamity-hit.
"Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka have been declared drought hit but in UP, where the situation is so alarming, the government has not yet done the same," Yogendra Yadav said.
He had formed a political organisation, Swaraj Abhiyan after his exit from AAP. He said that a survey is being carried out in Bundelkhand's 200 villages falling in 28 tehsils to find out if the conditions there were not turning into famine.
Stressing that youth were migrating from the affected areas in large numbers, Yogendra Yadav asked the government to make proper arrangements for distribution of foodgrains with no discrimination on whether people held Below Poverty Line, Above Poverty Line or Antodaya cards and provide alternative employment opportunities.
Asking the government to conduct cleaning of canals, repair faulty handpumps, arrange for potable water and waive of loans for this year, he also called for improving the system by which compensation is distributed.
To a question on whether he would be floating a new party or joining any political outfit, Yogendra Yadav refused to elaborate saying that he does not want the focus to shift from the issue of drought.