Even as leaders of both Samajwadi Party factions are grappling to take control of the election symbol of `cycle’ at the Election Commission office (New Delhi) on Friday, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav held meetings with officials, interacted with people and later redesigned his poll campaign with his political aide.
“Today was nothing different. It was a hectic day for the Chief Minister as usual. He reviewed progress of some schemes, met officials and directed them about completion of schemes within the stipulated time,” a senior official told ‘The Pioneer’ on Friday.
Yadav took special interest to learn about the bid for constructing the Samajwadi Purvanchal Expressway which was held on Thursday. He also reviewed projects in the Health sector and enquired about schemes of Forest department.
“As Model Code of Conduct is in place, he cannot give special directives but asked officials to complete the ongoing projects within stipulated timeframe. This includes construction of two medical colleges and building separate cages in lion Safari in Etawah,” he said.
It is not that Akhilesh Yadav was not interested to know as what was happening in New Delhi. He was in touch with members of his team including Kironmoy Nanda and Naresh Agarwal. They were briefing him about developments taking place in the Delhi office of Election Commission.
Around noon, Akhilesh Yadav asked the state SP chief Naresh Uttam to urgently fax some information to Kapil Sibbal’s office and then returned to his official desk for discussing projects.
In the evening, as news came that the EC has reserved its decision after hearing both sides, Akhilesh held a meeting with state party president and senior colleagues including Rajendra Chaudhary and Ram Gobind Chaudhary. Jail Minister Balwant Singh Ramuwalia too droped in for a few minutes. At the fag end of the meeting they were joined by Rural Development minister Arvind Sigh Gope.
“The discussion veered around election strategy. It was decided that the party will announce candidates in a phased manner with first phase candidates to be announced after January 15,” a senior leader said.
The nomination for the first phase of polling starts on January 17 while last date of withdrawal is on January 27. At least 73 Assembly segments, majority of them in west UP, will go to polls in the first phase.
“Do not worry. We have everything ready. Wait for some announcements and then we will declare candidates,” the leader said refusing to elaborate what he meant by announcements. Is it poll pact between Congress and Akhilesh led faction of SP IJ “Just wait and watch. Donot put words in my mouth,” he said.