The Samajwadi Party seems to have gone into election mode with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announcing development projects amounting to Rs 88,065 crore in two days. He also used the occasion to assert that only the Samajwadi Party could fight communal forces and that it would play a key role in the formation of a secular government at the Centre post-poll.
However, Yadav, who was earlier praised for denying SP ticket to mafa-turned-politician DP Yadav in the 2012 Assembly election, on Monday defended selection of ganglord Atiq Ahmad as party candidate for the coming lok Sabha poll. Justifying the SP’s decision to field Atiq Ahmad from Sultanpur, he said the Party had to look into winnability of a candidate as well.
Addressing media persons soon after launching development package of over Rs 72,300 crore at his Kalidas Marg official residence on Monday, Yadav sought to justify the selection of Atiq Ahmad for the lok Sabha poll saying the party had to take into account various factors, including winnability of a candidate. “No one is above law. Whatever good or bad is done by us is always criticised by you (media),” he said. He, however, hastened to add that nobody was above the law and any illegal action by anyone would invite tough action and it was the work of party’s disciplinary committee.
The Chief Minister was replying to questions on selection of tainted persons by the SP for the lok Sabha polls. Atiq Ahmad, who hails from Allahabad, remained in jail for a long time for his criminal exploits and has been selected by the SP as its candidate from Sultanpur parliamentary constituency represented by Sanjay Singh of Congress.
To divert the issue, the Chief Minister said that the prime aim of his party was to prevent communal forces from coming to power in the next lok Sabha polls. “All eyes will be on SP in the fight against opportunist forces during the parliamentary election as Congress has “failed” to stop communal forces in the recent Assembly elections,” Yadav said, adding that they also had development on top agenda.
Espousing the cause of Third Front in the coming lok Sabha polls, Yadav, who is also the state president of SP, said that people clearly wanted an alternative to Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. On DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s announcement not to contest next polls in alliance with Congress-led UPA, he said it should also be looked in this light. He did not specify further on DMK’s role in Third Front, if any, but said that the possibilities of an alternative force were being brightened.
‘’All I can say is that the next lok Sabha poll will be led by secular forces,” he said. Replying to a question on the death of children in relief camps set up for Muzaffarnagar riot victims, Yadav said his Government had made all efforts to provide relief, and had set up of a committee to look into the matter and further action would be taken based on its report.
“The Government has made proper arrangement of clothing and bedding during winter season for the people living in camps. Arrangements have been made for those who want to return to their respective homes,” he added. In reply to another question, the Chief Minister said that the directions of the Supreme Court on facilities to be provided in relief camps housing the victims of Muzaffarnagar riots would be followed.
“All anomalies will be removed and those taking shelter there, specially children, will be ensured utmost care,’’ he added. Earlier, Yadav announced the implementation of over 200 projects of Public Works Department(PWD), Power, Medical Education and industries worth about Rs 72,300 crore saying the ambitious ‘development agenda’ of his government was being pursued vigorously. He said the development would be a major plank in the next polls.
The CM said that his Government had to face financial crunch because many big projects started during the Mayawati regime were abandoned. A fresh assessment of these projects incurred more investment and escalated costs,’’ he said. Yadav said that work on roads was on the fast track and the scheme to link all the district headquarters with the rural areas was being accomplished. He claimed that the state would become reliant in power in three years when about 13000 MW generation would be augmented.