NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday claimed that several MLAs from the ruling BJP-led alliance in Uttar Pradesh are in contact with his party ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections, while saying the SP would not make commitments it could not honour.“There are many who are in contact. But how do we adjust them? We do not want to make a promise and then go back on it,” Yadav said at a press conference at the SP office.The remarks came as the SP formally entered the Rajya Sabha contest in Uttar Pradesh, with party candidates Professor Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani filing their nomination papers. Akhilesh Yadav accompanied both candidates during the filing.
SP sticks to alliance, winnability formula
Asked about the party’s plans for next year’s Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Yadav said the alliance that existed earlier would continue. On seat-sharing, he reiterated that the SP would use winnability as the basis for deciding which party contests a seat.“The SP has said this earlier and I am saying it again — winnability is the basis for a seat,” he said.The Election Commission has announced that polling for 11 Rajya Sabha seats, 10 from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand, will be held on October 16. The terms of the sitting members from the two states are due to expire on November 25.
Rajya Sabha contest heats up
Yadav said the democratic system requires representatives to be elected by the people and lawmakers to subsequently elect members of the Upper House.“Democracy should not have dishonesty. Had the BJP not indulged in dishonesty, the SP would have had three Rajya Sabha MPs,” he said, referring to the previous Rajya Sabha election in which SP candidate Alok Ranjan lost after cross-voting.Yadav said the SP was now urging MLAs to use the opportunity to “wash away the past”.Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, however, claimed that 25 SP MLAs were in touch with the BJP.“We will surprise them. 25 of their MLAs are in touch with us,” Maurya said, according to news agency ANI.His remarks came after the SP announced Ram Gopal Yadav and Nathwani as its two candidates.Uttar Pradesh minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar also questioned whether the SP’s candidates reflected its PDA — Pichhada, Dalit and Alpashankhyak — formulation.He cautioned the party against attempting to secure a third seat at the risk of losing its second.
Yadav defends Nathwani candidature
Defending the nomination of industrialist Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani, Yadav said he was pleased that the SP had the opportunity to send a representative of the younger generation and a “new way of thinking” to the Rajya Sabha.“The SP has decided to connect with the industrial sector and therefore, to make someone associated with the industry its Rajya Sabha member,” he said.Responding to criticism over backing an industrialist, Yadav said, “I think you should read about socialism again. I will give you a book by (Ram Manohar) Lohia.”He said socialist thought also focused on prosperity and equality and argued that governments across the country seek investment to drive economic growth.Yadav said the SP wanted to promote industries and employment in Uttar Pradesh, adding that the party would support those who contribute to economic growth, farmer employment and jobs for young people.
Sugarcane payments and Raebareli remarks
Yadav also promised that sugarcane growers would receive pending payments within 24 to 48 hours if the SP formed the government in Uttar Pradesh. He said the party’s election manifesto would include several measures for farmers.On his recent visit to Raebareli and allegations of police misconduct involving SP MLA Rahul Lodhi, Yadav questioned how police could behave in such a manner with an elected representative.
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“How can police behave like this with an elected representative?” he asked.He also said, “This time, it will be Lodhi versus (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister) Yogi (Adityanath).”Yadav further said Uttar Pradesh’s proposed target of becoming a USD 1-trillion economy could not be achieved through corruption, saying, “A USD-1-trillion economy will not be built through theft of offerings.”He also said the SP would continue to focus on farmers, recalling former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh and farmer leader Mahendra Singh Tikait.
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