Akhilesh releases SP manifesto; Mulayam, Shivpal skip event

Riding on the crest of "kaam bolta hai" (work speaks) slogan, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, in his new role as the Samajwadi Party national president, announced a slew of schemes which prioritise development of the state.

The manifesto announced distribution of laptops, Kanya Vidya Dhan, Samajwadi Pension, laying of Purvanchal Expressway and establishing Janeshwar Mishra model villages besides improving helplines for police and women in distress. The Chief Minister directed all candidates to prepare a roadmap for development of their respective Assembly constituencies.

"The manifesto is a 'sankalp' (pledge) to form future government," the 43-year-old SP chief said, exuding confidence that his party will sweep 300 of the 403 seats, far more than the 224 seats it had won in 2012. 

However, Mulayam Singh Yadav arrived after the press conference was over, blaming the delay on chock-a-block traffic on roads leading to SP headquarters. Mulayam later remained closeted with Akhilesh and his wife Dimple, both of whom returned on learning that he had finally reached.

Releasing the manifesto, Akhilesh made a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'achche din' promise and pilloried him, saying instead of getting good days, they were handed over 'jhadu' (broom) or making people perform yoga, and asked as to what happened to BJP's 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas' slogan. "People are desperately looking for those who had promised achche din," he said.

Akhilesh also ridiculed the previous BSP government as "patthar wali sarkar", accusing it of doing nothing except for installing stone statues of elephants, its election symbol. "If BSP comes to power again, its government will install bigger statues of elephants," he said, attacking Mayawati, who instantly hit back dismissing the SP election manifesto as "mere formality and publicity gimmick to fool people".

Meanwhile, the Congress and Samajwadi Party on Sunday forged a pre-poll alliance to contest the UP Assembly polls together. Queering the pitch for BJP and BSP, the two parties reached a seat-sharing agreement with Congress likely to contest around 103 seats and the SP about 300. Sources also said the alliance materialised after Congress President Sonia Gandhi intervened.