The feud within the Yadav clan in Uttar Pradesh is far from over as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday threw down the gauntlet over selection of candidates for the forthcoming Assembly polls, saying that he was “not aware” of the decision, while adding that candidates may be changed in future.
Moments after SP UP chief Shivpal Yadav announced candidates for nine Assembly seats besides changing the candidates of 14 constituencies on Monday, Akhilesh said, “I am not aware about any selection of candidates for the Assembly polls… I was not consulted.”
However, the Chief Minister told reporters that he holds the aces and in game of cards, one who holds the aces, wins the game.
On being asked about giving party ticket to Aman Mani Tripathi, son of a murder accused, and refusing ticket to Atul Pradhan, who is considered close to him from Sardhan (Meerut), Akhilesh said, “I have given up all my rights... All the rights are with people”.
The CM had even recommended a CBI probe against Tripathi after the mysterious death of his wife Sara in a road accident at Mainpuri, in which he remained unscathed.
Yadav had earlier demanded that he should be given a say in selection of candidates.
Earlier in the day, the ruling Samajwadi Party declared the candidates for nine Assembly seats besides changing the candidates of 14 constituencies ahead of the 2017 UP polls.
“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 after inaugurating the new Secretariat building, lok Bhavan in lucknow.
In this fluid political situation where fight within the 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 toIJ 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 Rsteen 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).”
Refusing to take the hint, Akhilesh said: “I do not play cards, but yes I play chess.”
The Chief Minister also said he would fight the Assembly election on development planks. “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.
Highlighting developmental works of his Government, the Chief Minister the lucknow-Agra Expressway was 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.