FASTEST FINGER FIRST
He may prefer the bicycle to the more glamorous motorcycle favoured by most young politicians, but Akhilesh Yadav can be quick when he wants to be. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister had to inaugurate a dozen schemes at 11 a.m on March 5. But when it was announced that the Election Commission would hold a press conference at 10.30 a.m., Akhilesh began his programme at 9.45 a.m.. He went on to flag off three dozen mobile fish parlours, announced the names of recipients of this year’s Yash Bharti Samman and wrapped up the programme with five minutes to spare before the Model Code of Conduct came into force, giving no opportunity for the Uttar Pradesh Government to be pulled up for violation.