Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “mahamilavat” (highly adulterated) jibe and said that the Bharatiya Janata Party was attacking the alliance as it was threatened by opposition unity.

Taking pot shots at attempts to cobble up a grand alliance against the BJP, Modi had on Thursday asked people to guard against the “mahamilavat” regime if his party was not voted back

“Why so afraid of our alliance? Those who are referring to our alliance as ‘mahamilawat’, what purity are they looking for?” the former Chief Minister of UP sought to know.

“India is a confluence of various cultures and communities and this alliance exemplifies this diversity. United, the people of India will sing praises for the nation. Why is the BJP so afraid of coming together of different parties and ideologies and communities?” Akhilesh Yadav asked. 

Defending the formation of a coalition ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh said that the alliance would gain strength from its diversity.

“The 2019 poll is a battle between BJP’s insular, monochrome idea of India and our future-oriented and multi-cultural vision. Each voice will strengthen federalism in our country,” Akhilesh tweeted on Saturday.

The SP chief blamed the BJP government for the 58 deaths in Saharanpur and Kushinagar due to spurious liquor recently.

“The government is responsible. Who is brewing such liquor? The government knows everything as BJP leaders are involved in it. In fact, the BJP is promoting liquor consumption to fund cow-related projects,” the SP chief alleged.

The UP government recently decided to impose special cess on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer to fund shelters for stray cows, grazing grounds and other cattle protection activities.