Rae Bareli: Just two days after the maiden voyage of the world's longest cruise from Varanasi, the Samajwadi party chief. Akhilesh Yadav emerged with rare criticism laced with cultural appropriation against the BJP.

"This river Cruise is running since last many years, it is not new and someone has informed me that it is running for the past 17 years. They (BJP) had just added some part of it and said that we have started it. These BJP people are far ahead in campaigning and lying. I have also heard that cruise sailing on the holy river Ganga is not only cruise but also has bars that serve alcohol." Said Yadav

The SP chief made these remarks while meeting media persons in Rae Bareli. Even days before, the Yadav scion took to his Twitter page to criticize BJP. Both Kashi and Varanasi are given a facelift that is uncalled for. He reminded the BJP that the tourists flock to these heritage spots to witness the calmness and the ascetic aura but not any opulence. These places are tinged with divinity that not many destinations in the world can equal. Yadav made these points.

It was just last Friday that prime minister Narendra Modi flagged off MV Ganga Vilas with 32 swiss tourists that will sail around India for a long 51 days. The voyage will culminate in Dibrugarh of Assam via Bangladesh.