Lucknow: Seeking to send a message of unity in the ruling Samajwadi Party which has been battling a bitter power struggle, Mulayam Singh Yadav on Thursday flagged off Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s rath yatra in the presence of state SP chief Shivpal Yadav.
Ending days of suspense on whether he will be present or not, the SP patriarch arrived at La Martinere grounds, the flag off venue, soon after Akhilesh reached there. Shivpal also joined them moments later.
Mulayam took a seat on the stage and was flanked by Shivpal on one side and Akhilesh on the other to send a message that the party was united ahead of the upcoming UP Assembly elections barely a few months away.
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“Akhilesh ko hum shubhkamna detey hain (I wish him well),” Shivpal said, adding the “Vikas sey Vijay ki aur yatra” will send a message of unity across the state and halt BJP in its tracks.
“Our target is to prevent BJP from coming to power in the state in the crucial 2017 elections,” he said.
The enthusiasm among the youth leaders was palpable right since early morning with hordes of young party workers donning red cap making a beeline to the venue, the very place where Akhilesh took oath as chief minister in 2012.
As some youths jostled to reach the venue, Shivpal advised them to calm down. “Josh mein hosh na kho dein (don’t lose your cool in enthusiasm),” he said.
Ahead of the flag off the event, Ram Gopal Yadav‘s son and MP Akshay Yadav said, “People will vote for Akhilesh. We will contest in his name and win.”
The presence of Mulayam, Shivpal, and Akhilesh on one platform came days and months after bitter acrimony in the Yadav clan that saw no holds barred tit-for-tat sackings and expulsions of followers of warring camps.
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Meanwhile, The hi-tech customised Rath of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav broke down after barely covering a kilometer, forcing him to switch to his official vehicle to continue his state-wide tour.
After leaving the La-Martinere College grounds and hitting Lohia Path at a stone’s throw distance from the venue, the blazing red 10-wheel Mercedes ‘rath’ developed some technical snag following which Akhilesh shifted to his official SUV.
The CM waited anxiously for the repair work to be over, but as it took time, he decided to go ahead in his official SUV. The yatra was earlier in the day flagged off by SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Re-designed keeping in mind security and other requirements of the CM, the Mercedes bus has world class interiors and is equipped with top-of-the-line gadgets and amenities.
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It has bullet proof glasses and is divided into two sectors — office and beyond. The office area is like a mini-chief minister’s office wherein the CM can hold a meeting with around 5-6 persons. The other area comprises a kitchen, reclining area, and plush washroom. It has the modern acoustic system and an elevator which would take the CM to the roof to interact with a larger audience.
The royal vehicle is fitted with LED screens to play creatives (videos, photos, photo videos) showcasing the achievements of the Akhilesh Yadav government.