Lucknow: In yet another episode of motormouth BJP leaders letting their tongues loose, Uttar Pradesh’s BJP leader and a close aide of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Bhukkal Nawad has stated that he wishes to tie rakhi to cows for Raksha Bandhan.

Raksha Bandhan is widely celebrated in India to mark the love between a brother and sister. 

Nawab is conducting an event that will be held in Kubiaghat area of Lucknow and men and women would participate in it, the BJP leader said in a statement. Interestingly, this will be the second consecutive year when such an event will be held in Uttar Pradesh.

“We will perform 'Gau puja' and then tie 'rakhi' to cows on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan on Thursday,” Nawab was quoted as saying in media reports. When asked about the purpose of holding such an event, Nawab said it will underline the bond between man and cows, and also create awareness against cow slaughter.

The bizarre announcement comes just a few days after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the state government will offer free travel to all women of the state on government buses of all classes on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

"Raksha Bandhan is an auspicious festival. I wish the citizens of this state a very happy Raksha Bandhan. On the occasion of this auspicious festival, the state government has directed the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to offer free transportation to women on Raksha Bandhan in all category of buses," CM Yogi Adityanath had said.

Bhukkal Nawab had quit Samajwadi Party in 2018. He calls himself a ‘Hanuman Bhakt’ and offers prayers at Hanuman temples on special occasions.