LUCKNOW, June 30 -- Responding strongly to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's statement on traders and the incumbent government in Uttar Pradesh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rajeshwar Singh on Sunday said Yadav's comments are entirely baseless and misleading. Singh highlighted that during Akhilesh Yadav's tenure, crime was rampant in Uttar Pradesh, with traders being frequently targeted. Over 25,000 murders occurred during his five-year rule, with more than 7,650 serious crimes happening daily, the Sarojininagar MLA said. "Under the Yogi government, Uttar Pradesh has become the safest state in the country due to its zero tolerance policy," he added. "Over 70,000 gangsters have been booked, more than 1,000 people have been detained under the NSA and over 200 notorious criminals have been killed in encounters," Singh said. He emphasised that Uttar Pradesh has become the second-largest economy in the country, with its GSDP rising from Rs 12 lakh crore to Rs 31 lakh crore. The per capita income has also increased from Rs 45,000 to Rs 1.2 lakh. Singh pointed out that the current government has implemented initiatives like the Traders Welfare Board, Bhamashah Samman and Trader Security Forum to protect and honour traders. "These efforts have ensured the safety and dignity of traders in the state," he said. Singh criticised Akhilesh Yadav for promoting caste-based politics and urged him to not play with the future of the youth and the development of Uttar Pradesh by spreading caste-based politics. He emphasised that the state is on the path of development and no caste-based mentality can pull it back....