Chronicle Reporter, Bhopal, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday also lashed out at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. “People want to see change as they are unhappy with policies and decisions of central government.” He said demonetisation, unemployment and the GST were some of the issues that have angered the people.
On the question an alliance with the Congress and Bahujan Samaj Party in Madhya Pradesh, Yadav said, “We are having talks with several parties and I have a lot of respect for state Congress president Kamal Nath. However, I cannot share what we discussed.”
He did not comment on the possibility of the SP and Congress coming together for the Lok Sabha polls. “Let the appropriate time come and you will know,” Yadav said, adding that his party was open to alliances with “like-minded parties.”
Yadav criticised the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh for its failure to tackle farm distress which pushed many farmers to commit suicide and also for the state’s poor record on women’s safety.
Referring to the recent by-polls in Uttar Pradesh where a united opposition defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the former chief minister said the saffron party thrived on the ‘politics of hatred’.
He added that while social media was earlier used by people to keep in touch, the BJP had utilised it to foment hatred. “Initially, BJP workers were adept at handling social media but others have caught up with them now and the virtual world is filled with anti-BJP sentiments,” the SP leader, said adding that the party’s cyber warriors would take on the BJP force.
Yadav cited recent by-poll results to underline that alliances could be beneficial. “Congress won by-elections in Ater in Bhind district and Chitrakoot in Satna district, thanks to the support it received from SP.”
The SP had carried out an assessment of all the 230 seats in Madhya Pradesh with the help of 51 observers and identified the areas in which they were strong, he said.
Yadav said the country would get a new prime minister in 2019 from Uttar Pradesh. However, he declined to comment whether he would support Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the post.
While talking to media persons, Yadav said, “You will see a new prime minister after the elections.” He was replying to a query whether he would back Rahul Gandhi or Mayawati.
