'Why doesn't BJP retire him?': Akhilesh Yadav's dig at CM Yogi Adityanath over 'politics not full-time job' remark

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took a dig at UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the latter's remarks during an interview. (File Photo: PTI)

Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday took a swipe at incumbent CM Yogi Adityanath over his remarks that politics is not a full-time job for him and said the central leadership of the BJP should take note and retire such politicians.

"Our Chief Minister says politics is not a full-time job for him. Aise part-time waalon ko Delhi (leadership) nikal kyun nahi deti party se (Why doesn't the BJP leadership retire such part-time politicians)," Akhilesh said speaking to the media outside Parliament where the Waqf Amendment Bill is set to be tabled for discussion and passage.

In an interview with news agency PTI on Tuesday, Adityanath responded to a question on his political future and said he does not see politics as a full-time job for himself.

"Look, I am the chief minister of the state, the party has put me here for the people of Uttar Pradesh and politics is not a full-time job for me," Adityanath said.

"At present, we are working here but in reality, I am a Yogi. As long as we are here, we are working...there will be a time limit to this too," he added.

Akhilesh latched on to the remark and said that those who see politics as a part-time job should not take it up at all.

"In fact, those who consider politics as part time should not do it at all because 'true politics is a field of service' for which even 2 hours of a day and entire life are not enough," the SP president said in a post on X last evening.

Akhilesh's remarks came on a day when the Lok Sabha is set for a marathon session to discuss the Waqf Amendment Bill, a legislation aimed at amending the 1995 law governing Waqf properties and improving their management.

Congress and other Opposition parties have opposed the legislation, stating that the Joint Parliamentary Committee set up to examine the Bill did not consider Opposition MPs' suggestions, and accused the government of rushing ahead with the Bill.