The feud within the Yadav clan is far from over as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav threw the gauntlet over selection of candidates for the forthcoming Assembly polls, saying that he holds the aces and in game of cards he who holds the aces, wins the game.
“I am not aware about any selection of candidates for the Assembly polls … I was not consulted. In fact, I have given up all the rights,” Yadav told reports after inaugurating the new Secretariat named as lok Bhavan.
Yadav had earlier demanded that he should be given a say in selection of candidates.
The reply came when Akhilesh was asked about declaration of candidates and incidentally the list contained te name of Amanmani Tripathi against whom the CM had recommended a CBI probe after the mysterious death of his wife Sara in a road accident atMainpuri, in which he remained unscathed.
“If you want an honest answer – I have no knowledge about the new announcements. You know my line of thinking. But I want to make it clear that in a game of cards only that person wins who holds the aces,” he said without elaborating.
“Politics is not a game, but you need to have aces up your sleeves,” he said.
In this fluid political situation where fight withthe SP’s first family came out in the open last month, the statement of the Chief Minister has raised several questions. Who is the ace, Akhilesh is referring to IJ Does this mean that this Diwali, people could expect more fireworksIJ
When asked to explain, the CM said: “You all have played the game of cards. Though I do not play card but know that in `teen do paanch’, only that person wins, who has aces. In this game of politics, I hold the aces and you will come to know about this as the poll draw near.”
Urban Development minister Azam Khan, who was sitting beside Akhilesh, made a vain attempt to water down the situation saying, “Do not stretch this small issue (itni choti baat ko bada na baanaye).” Probably knowing that the CM’s statement had already made news. Refusing to take the hint, Akhilesh said: “I do not play cards, but yes I play chess.”
The Chief Minister spoke about development projects that his government had launched. “I will go to the people with my report card. I will tell them what I have done for them. When we are doing everything to develop infrastructure, the Opposition is not interested in developmental issue. They were trying to divert the attention of the people to other non-serious issues,” he said.
Akhielsh explained in detail about developmental works of his government and how he got the lucknow- Agra Expressway laid in a record time, while the lucknow Metro work was also underway.
“Development of infrastructure is our main motto. Till now, more than 50 districts have been connected with four-lane highways. If we get another chance, all the districts would get the facility of good roads,” he promised.
The Chief Minister said that health was on the top of the agenda of his government. “If we get another chance we will convert all district hospitals into world class establishment,” he said.