Lucknow: Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party (SP) leader hit out at the Central Government for restricting the movement of people in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. "We should all learn the art of institutional control from BJP, removing Article 370 was in the BJP's manifesto and they did that. I just want to remind you that what happened with them today can happen with us tomorrow," Akhilesh Yadav stated at a press conference.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) leader also questioned the abrogation of Article 370 and added, "Today it is more than 20 days that people are still locked in their houses in Kashmir. If the Center's decision was so great then why was it not taken with the people's consent? I have already spoken my mind on the issue in the Lok Sabha, I do not have anything more to add." His comments came after Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati stated that the Opposition leaders should have put in a little more thought before leaving for Srinagar. "Did not the recent visit of Congress and other party leaders without permission similar to giving the Centre and the Governor a chance to do politics? It would have been appropriate if they had thought about it a bit before going there," Mayawati stated in a series of tweets supporting the Central government earlier today.