This Article is From Mar 06, 2012

Mulayam, not Akhilesh will be chief minister, says their party

Mulayam, not Akhilesh will be chief minister, says their party
Lucknow: With the Samajwadi Party in the clear lead in Uttar Pradesh, celebrations have begun at the party's office in Lucknow. A few days ahead of Holi, party supporters were seen throwing colour on each other and dancing with dhols. Leads at 2:30 pm showed the party had 217 of 403 seats, taking it past the half-way mark.

The victory is being attributed to 39-year-old Akhilesh Yadav, whose father, Mulayam, is the party chief. Akhilesh's rides across the state on his party symbol, the bicycle, were much-reported. His earthy style of campaigning connected him to rural voters; he also appealed to the youth. But he has repeatedly said that it is his father, "Netaji," who will head the new government. That opinion was seconded today by Mulayam's brother, Shiv Pal Yadav. "We will not need anybody's support to form the government... Mulayam Singh will be chief minister. For Akhilesh, there is 2014," he added, referring to the general elections that are just two years away.

Recent weeks had led to reports that the party wanted Akhilesh to lead the state government, allowing his father to focus on the strategy for the general elections.

The fact that Rahul Gandhi, 41, was very much the heart and soul of the Congress' campaign in UP had turned the election here into a clash between the two young titans. Mr Gandhi's speeches and campaign came across as sophisticated and rehearsed, said his critics. "Today's result proves Akhilesh is the only youth leader," said his party spokesperson. At different public gatherings, Mr Gandhi has said his party will prefer to serve as the opposition than to get into a post-poll alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

 
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