CM says he holds aces to win poll
AKHILESH SPEAK SP wants to contest election on development issue but some parties have other plans
Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday pleaded ignorance about his party’s decision to field murder accused Aman Mani Tripathi but sounded confident of having the final word to make Samajwadi Party win the 2017 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
“I am not aware about it. I am here for the inauguration of the chief minister’s secretariat. I will lay the foundation stone of Kanpur Metro project tomorrow. The one who holds the trump card will win the 2017 assembly election,” he told reporters.
The new CM’s secretariat building, Lok Bhawan, was inaugurated by the chief minister in the presence of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Yadav. Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, who was re-inducted in the cabinet on Mulayam’s instructions, also shared the dais with Akhilesh while he addressed media persons.
When asked to comment on the Samajwadi Party’s decision to field Aman Mani Tripathi from Nautanva assembly constituency in Maharajganj, Akhilesh replied: “I have given up all my rights.”
“Has the election been announced? In politics, who knows what is in store for tomorrow. Did the BSP know that its leader of opposition Swami Prasad Maurya would leave the party one day?” he asked. Akhilesh reminded media persons that he was scheduled to launch his election campaign “Vikas se vijay ki Ore” on Monday but was attending the inaugural programme of the new secretariat.
It was at the chief minister’s behest that the state government had recommended a CBI probe into the alleged murder of Sara, wife of Aman Mani. Sara’s mother has named Aman Mani as an accused in the case.
Asked about the dates for the launch of poll campaign, he said, “I have not received the party’s message (email) about distribution of tickets. This is an internal matter of the party. You know my opinion. I can’t change some of my habits. You will get my programme too on email,” he said.
Akhilesh said he had declared in the state assembly that he would form the next government and present his sixth budget after 2017 assembly elections but it was for the people to elect the new government.
He used the occasion to target the rival parties, especially the BJP. “While the Samajwadi Party wants to contest 2017 assembly election on the issue of development, some parties have other plans. There are forces which do not want to have a debate on the issue of development,” he said while highlighting important projects launched by his government.
Asked about Lucknow Metro, Akhilesh said he had been informed that engine and coaches to be used for Lucknow Metro were ready.