BHOPAL: Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav kept the political circles in suspense regarding his party’s alliance with the Congress for the Madhya Pradesh elections.Akhilesh, who arrived in Bhopal on Thursday on two-day visit to meet party workers and leaders, made it clear that the SP will contest the polls much stronger than the previous polls.
“We didn’t contest the two recent assembly by-elections (Ater and Chitrakoot), which neighbour UP, just to help the Congress win those polls. But the main elections will be contested by our party with full strength, particularly in areas, where we have cadres and strong base,” he told journalists. “We’ve already got a detailed survey of all 230 assembly seats in the state done by a team of in-charges in each of the 51 districts. These in-charges stayed in each district for a week and prepared a detailed report about our all prospects, on the basis of which we will formulate our poll strategy.”
The former UP chief minister didn’t divulge much about talks with the Congress about possible alliance in the state. “We’re in favour of an alliance and personally share good relations with Congress state president Kamal Nath. But it’s not essential that we disclose to you the discussions which we might be holding with other parties.”Akhilesh made it clear that his two-day visit was not aimed at holding possible alliance discussions with other parties, but to meet SP workers and leaders.
He dropped enough hints about his party largely focusing on poll prospects in the region bordering Uttar Pradesh. In 1993, the SP won one seat. It was followed by four seats in 1998, seven in 2003 and one in 2008. In 2013, it failed to open account.
‘Country wants new PM’
“Just like the people of entire country, we too are in favour of a new government and a new PM. You’ll certainly see a new PM in future,” he said. When queried about the prospects of Rahul Gandhi and Mayawati among others, he quipped: “It’s now proven that anyone aspiring to be the PM, has to come to UP,” he quipped.