Akhilesh plans out poll strategy, says all is well

LUCKNOW: With filing of nominations for the first phase of assembly polls drawing closer, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday asked his ministers and legislators not to worry about tickets as he finetuned with his close aides Samajwadi Party’s strategy.

As his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and warring uncle Shivpal camped in New Delhi, waiting for the Election Commission to take up on Friday the dispute in the party over its ‘cycle’ symbol, Akhilesh remained closeted with his close confidants at his 5 Kalidas Marg official residence to discuss the poll scenario. “Don’t get trapped in the symbol dispute. It is before EC and will get resolved on Friday,” he told party workers who had assembled at this residence for ‘Janata Darshan’.

“Go to the masses. I will draw up my tour programme and will join you,” Akhilesh, who replaced Mulayam as the SP president recently, directed his supporters, who aired their strong desire that he should be the chief minister again.

Akhilesh told his ministers and legislators that they should not worry about tickets. “You will get tickets, do not worry. Work hard for SP’S victory,” he told them during the 90-minute animated interaction.

“All is well in the party,” he told waiting mediapersons on coming out of the meeting.

Senior SP minister and Akhilesh loyalist Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI that the chief minister was giving final touches to the SP manifesto which was likely to be released soon after the symbol dispute is resolved by the EC.

The manifesto will focus on agriculture sector and welfare of minorities, he said.

Party insiders said Akhilesh was working on a new list of candidates, keeping out those facing criminal charges and accommodating deserving aspirants. The two SP factions led by Mulayam and Akhilesh have staked claim over the party and its election symbol ‘cycle’ ahead of Assembly elections and the EC has decided to hear the matter on Friday.