BJP raises a stink over Akhilesh Yadav's 'cow dung vs perfume' remark: 'SP's demise certain'

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP on the completion of 8 years of the Yogi Adityanath government. (File Photo: PTI)

Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav stirred up a row with his comments Wednesday claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party was building cowsheds since it prefers "foul smell" while the SP was investing in perfume parks since it favours fragrance, drawing a sharp reaction from BJP leaders.

Reacting to the SP supremo's remarks, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya predicted a certain demise for Akhilesh's party. "If a farmer, especially a cowherd's son, starts smelling a stench from cow dung, he should understand that he is completely cut off from his roots and society. Munshi Premchand had written that if a farmer's son starts smelling a foul smell from cow dung, then famine is certain. SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav is also smelling a foul smell from cow dung, his party is sure to turn into a ruin," Maurya said in a post on X on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in Kannauj, his Lok Sabha constituency, Akhilesh said, "BJP likes foul smell, that’s why they are making cowsheds, while Samajwadi Party prefers fragrance, so we built a perfume park. This government is even consuming funds allocated for catching cattle. As fragrance-loving people, we establish perfume parks, while they prefer foul smells."

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Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 27, 2025

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla termed the remarks as shameful and accused the SP leader of indulging in vote bank appeasement.

"After insult to Rana Sangha now SP & Akhilesh Yadav insults Hindu faith and says: 'Cows and cowsheds spread FOUL SMELL. That's why we make perfume parks.' Shri Krishna himself is called 'Gopal' - one who had divine love for cows and their protection and care...Shameful how low one can go for vote bank appeasement," Poonawalla said.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Akhilesh also accused the BJP government in UP of neglecting Kannauj and depriving it of development. "When their (BJP’s) eight years were completed, the Uttar Pradesh police itself had to file an FIR against one of its own IAS officers. This is the first government whose MLAs are openly saying that we want change. This government does not want to answer questions from the media," he added.