In a quick riposte to the SCAM jibe by Prime Minister Naredra Modi at Meerut on Saturday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the SP-Congress alliance is fighting to save the nation from people whose name begins with A (Amit Shah ) and M (Narendra Modi).
While highlighting ‘SCAM’ in his Meerut speech, the Prime minister had later explained that S tood for for Samajwadi, C for Congress, A for Akhilesh and M for Mayawati.
Yadav also termed Narendra Modi as a `migratory bird’ who migrated from Gujarat to UP to become the Prime Minister.
On Saturday, the CM addressed three poll meetings in Auraiyya and two in Kanpur Dehat.
Addressing the meetings in SP’s pocket burroigh, Akhilesh offered his side of the story in the dispute within SP’s first family involving his father Mulayam Singh and uncle Shivpal Yadav.
Invoking his father’s name, the CM said that with his blessings, he would win the elections and form the next government in the state which would be a great honour for his father. “Samajwadi Party belongs to ‘Netaji’ (Mulayam Singh) and the relationship between my father and I, can never change,’’ stressed Akhilesh.
“It was necessary to distance ourselves from people who ultimately wanted to harm the party. Netaji ji has brought us into politics and trained us. Sometimes you have to take tough decisions. We have also acted against those who conspired against us,” the CM said.
Trying to downplay Mulayam Singh’s criticism of the alliance between the SP and Congress, Akhilesh said that if the SP retained power in UP, it would be a huge corrollary to Netaji’s prestige.
“This is not an act of rebellion. Netaji is above all of us in the party. The responsibility to take Samajwadi Party forward is now with the next generation. Our sole aim is to retain power in UP. Netaji will be the happiest person if SP wins.”
Akhilesh sounded a warning to his detractors, saying, “If anybody plays mischief with the party, then I have to act in a different way to tackle the trouble maker.”(Cycle ke saath gadbad karenge, to hame bhee thodaa idhar udhar karnaa padtaa hai).
In all meetings Akhilesh appealed to the people to forgive the past mistakes of candidates and not to punish him for their lapses. ``Assembly seats in Auraiyya are in my quota. It’s my responsibility to ensure victory of the candidates. If something goes wrong then it would have adverse impact on me,’’ said Akhilesh.
Hailing the Samajwadi Party alliance with Congress, Akhilesh said, “Ever since the roadshows conducted by the alliance in lucknow and Agra, opposition parties have sharpened their attacks against the SP. Mayawati was forced to promise to people that no more statues would be installed and her regime would focus only on develoopment.’’
Claiming that there was no contest and the alliance would win hands down, Akhilesh said the new combine would provide a new direction to national politics.
“This election is not only about the state but also about the nation. People say that we should not have given so many seats to Congress, but we have a big heart. When you are large-hearted with your friends, then the friendship lasts longer,” Akhilesh explained.