Putting to rest speculations that Akhilesh Yadav would contest elections from Bidhuna Assembly seat, the CM while denying that he would not be contesting from there, refused to divulge his probable constituency.
Incidentally, Yadav chose a road-side dhaba owned by SP leader in Tirawa (Kannauj) to make the announcement.
On his way back from Auraiya to Kannauj, Yadav's motorcade stopped at a roadside dhaba owned by a party leader. Sipping tea, Yadav told reporters that he would not be contesting election from Bidhuna this time.
Bidhuna falls in Auraiya and at present the seat is held by SP chief Mulayam Singh's brother-in-law Pramod Gupta. Bidhuna is also an Assembly segment of Kannauj lok Sabha constituency represented by his wife Dimple Yadav.
Akhilesh Yadav is himself well versed with this area as he began his political career from Kannauj lok Sabha seat in 1999 and also won the seat in 2004 and 2009 lok Sabha polls.
Yadav, presently member of the legislative Council, is keen to enter the Assembly from districts adjoining Etawah like Auraiya, Kannauj and Farrukhababd.
“I have not made up my mind yet but I would not be contesting polls from Bidhuna – that’s for sure,” he said. During his brief stopover, the CM interacted with people from nearby villagers to get their feedback on the government.
When some of them complained about rising prices of essential commodities, Yadav promised that if he returned to power, his government would fix the prices of essentials like dal, potato, tomato and sugar.
“I read in newspapers that the Union government is planning to import pulses. But this decision is bound to harm the farmers. Instead of importing, the government should announce sops for farmers who wish to grow pulses,” he suggested.
The CM also told the people about welfare schemes launched by his government. He had a questions-answer session with villagers where he asked about Samajwadi Pension Scheme, 102 and 108 Ambulance services, lohia Awas Yojana and other projects launched by his government.
When asked about the appointment of Raj Babbar as state Congress president, Yadav said that during elections many leaders are given important assignments.
“Raj Babbar has also been elevated as state president. This is a Congress stand and I have nothing more to say,” he said. Incidentally, Raj Babbar had defeated Dimple Yadav in 2012 bypolls after the seat was vacated by Akhilesh Yadav.
Earlier, the CM held a meeting with officials in Auraiya and directed them to implement government schemes in letter and spirit.