LUCKNOW, June 26 -- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday announced a statewide protest against the Uttar Pradesh government's proposal to merge primary schools run by the Basic Shiksha Parishad.

The party will organise demonstrations in villages and at district headquarters wherever school mergers are planned.

"AAP will not allow the government to shut down schools and will fight to protect the education of children," Sanjay Singh, Rajya Sabha MP and state in-charge of the party, told media persons on Thursday.

Singh criticised the government's priorities, highlighting the contrast between the proposed school mergers and the continued opening of liquor shops.

The AAP leader pointed out that the merger of schools will affect the appoi...