AGRA, June 7 -- Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday hit out at the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of having a history of insulting seers while in power and seeking their blessings when out of power, describing such gestures as "drama". He said the Samajwadi Party can neither respect 'sant' (seers) nor 'bhakt' (devotees).

Maurya was in Agra to attend programmes in the city and was interacting with media persons on the premises of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University.

"When in power, the Samajwadi Party ordered lathi charges on seers and opened fire on Ram bhakts in Ayodhya. Once out of power, its leaders begin bowing at the feet of seers. This is nothing but nautanki (drama)," Maurya alleged.

He said he had worked with the Vish...