Akhilesh to roll solo in Merc Vijay Rath
It’s hinted that the campaign will reposition the chief minister as the best choice to lead Uttar Pradesh again
LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav is set to go solo on his postponed statewide yatra, riding a rath talked up as being among the most hi-tech campaign vehicles used in India.
The yatra, named Vikas Se Vijay Ki Ore (from development to victory), will roll on a 10-wheel Mercedes bus converted into a rath equipped with top-of-theline gadgets and amenities. “It (rath) is bigger and better than Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van,” said an Akhilesh supporter.
Few have seen the Vijay Rath, which has been parked on the premises of the CM’s residence for more than a month. Akhilesh had announced the launch of his yatra on October 3, but called it off in the thick of the Yadav family feud.
Now, Akhilesh has said instead of focusing on infighting, he will concentrate on the campaign. The yatra will start from La Martiniere School ground, in front of his official residence, on November 3. On the first day, it will cover Lucknow, Unnao and Kanpur.
According to the CM’s camp, the yatra will send across the message that work speaks for itself (Kaam Bolta Hai). The CM’s camp did not say it directly, but indicated the campaign would reposition Akhilesh as the best choice to lead the state again.
The Vijay Rath is an upgrade from four-wheel buses and trucks used earlier. Its cost is not known, but a source estimated it to be “not less than `50 lakh, if not `1 crore”.
This is the first time Akhilesh will use a brand new rath. The Kranti Rath he used in 2012 was inherited from his father and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Akhilesh had covered the length and breadth of the state solo in 2012 too. While all senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders had shared the dais on the campaign trail, Akhilesh did not participate in those rallies. He campaigned on his own with the support of the youth wing.
It is the SP’s youth brigade which is backing Akhilesh again, determined to make the yatra a success to see him back as CM in 2017. They also want him back as state president, the post held by his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav.
The CM’s camp is also gearing up for the party’s silver jubilee celebrations starting November 5.
“The route of the yatra is yet to be finalised. It will be done in the next two or three days,” said cabinet minister Rajendra Chaudhary.
“As silver jubilee celebrations of the party will start from November 5, the yatra has to return for the celebrations.” It will resume after the silver jubilee celebrations, he added.
The route of the yatra is yet to be finalised. As silver jubilee celebrations of the party will start from November 5, the yatra has to return for the celebrations.
RAJENDRA CHAUDHARY, cabinet minister
It (rath) is bigger and better than Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van.
An Akhilesh supporter
This is the first time Akhilesh will use a new rath. He inherited the 2012 Kranti Rath from his father Mulayam Singh Yadav