Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav claimed that sustainable development and happiness could only be achieved by adopting Socialism and Secularism and that his the path what his government is following. He was speaking at a function organised by a media group at Hotel Taj auditorium on Saturday.
"Upliftment of the society could be possible only by following the path of Socialism and Secularism. Patience and unity are the traidtions of this country. UP is the most populous state and development of the country could not be achieved by keeping this state aside," the CM stressed.
Reacting to recent praise heaped on his father by PM Narendra Modi, Yadav cautiously welcomed it saying, " Personally, I feel it is a part of a 'big politics' and there was a need to remain alert."
However, Yadav added that since the praise comes from the PM, it should be welcome. "I want to make it clear that that concurring on certain issues and ideological politics should not be taken as one. Things are often presented differently in the public domain. That is why I have asked people to remain cautious," he said.
" Opposition has to be taken along in national interest. In the Upper House in UP, we do not have a majority and so we need coordination from ther Opposition," he said.
When asked about being publicly reprimanded by the SP chief, Yadav said, "Mulayam Singh Yadav is also my father and party president and hecne reserves the right. I do not think any one here in the audience can claim that (s)he has never been scolded by their fathers. Despite all this, we are still working together."
The CM also dismissed reports that the state was being run by four CMs, saying that forming an opinion on the basis of media reports was not appropriate. When asked as to why SP and BSP could not shake hands to fight the BJP, Yadav said his government has worked in all areas and when the time comes, people will compare the works of the SP and BSP regimes in the state and that of the BJP at the Centre.
When asked about reservation issue, Yadav said some "dishonest" people wanted to defame those asking for quota so that they forget about it.On the perception that the visit of the chief minister to NOIDA was 'jinxed' as those visiting the place in the past have not returned to power, Yadav recalled that teh city has been lucky for him as he had started his "cycle Yatra" from there and led his party to poll victory. "On my return to power, I will visit Noida and break the jinx in the first year," Yadav assured.
Meanwhile, soon after inaugurating the two-day 'National Cycle Fair-2015’ at Moti Mahal lawns later in the afternoon, Akhilesh Yadav said that it is the promotion of Rscycle’ by Samajwadi Party that people were having no embarrassment to use it frequently. "Cycle is the identity of the youth, hard-working people, farmers etc. To ensure road safety and to promote use of cycle, his government has provided separate tracks in lucknow and the government has drafted policy to at least ensure safe cycle passages inside districts," said the CM.