Akhilesh Yadav launches membership drive in UP

By Our Special Correspondent

Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav launched a membership drive here on Tuesday, two days after disbanding all frontal organizations of the party.

Expressing his intention to reach out to the lower class people, Akhilesh said that membership registration program will be undertaken in tehsils, mandals and districts across the state. He added that the number of new people joining the party will be revealed soon.

Talking to the media representatives, Akhilesh said that those who are angry with the BJP government are resorting to the SP. In a scathing message to ally Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief OP Rajbhar, the SP chief said he does not need anyone's advice. After the by-election defeat, Rajbhar called Akhilesh a "Twitter politician" who did not want to come out of the air-conditioned room. He suggested that SP and BSP should once again come together for the benefit of the poor.

Another friend, Mahan Dal chief Keshav Dev Maurya, and Akhilesh, on his alleged irritation at Rajbhar's frustration, said, “If someone gets upset, we can't do anything about it. While we are working on expanding our party, others need to think about their outfits.

Explaining his absence from the by-election scene, he said that his party cadre had given him the confidence to win in Rampur and Azamgarh, that's why he did not go campaigning. Akhilesh also targeted the celebrations to mark the completion of 100 days of the Yogi government and said, “The CM should talk about his achievements of five years and 100 days. Even today this government is cutting the ribbon for the projects completed by the SP government.

Without naming UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, he mocked and said, “Officials do not listen to the Deputy CM. Recent transfers were made without consulting him.