In UP's perfume city Kannauj, some back tax raids, others raise a stink

The city is divided as far as opinion on the raids is concerned. A few support the action; others oppose it and question the timing.

Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, due in February-March, the ruling BJP and Opposition parties have stepped up their campaigns. And tax raids by central agencies in Samajwadi Party bastion Kannauj, famous for perfume-making units, have increased political temperatures further. A war of words erupted and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav raised a stink.

Traditionally, the Kannauj-Etawah-Mainpuri- Saifai belt has seen the Samajwadi Party’s domination. Former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s wife Dimple Yadav was a Member of Parliament (MP) from Kannauj in 2014 but was defeated by a BJP candidate in 2019. Local journalist Neeraj Srivastava says Kannauj is a heavyweight seat in UP’s politics and the Assembly segments in the region will once again see a tough battle between the Samajwadi Party and the BJP.