8 years ago
Lucknow:
Akhilesh Yadav launched his bid for a second term as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh by starting a state-wide rath yatra named 'Vikas Yatra'. Today, Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to travel 75 km in Lucknow and neighbouring Unnao. Though there are plans for him to stop every 2 kilometres to interact with people, he is likely to do so from a distance - on a hydraulic lift atop his Mercedes "rath".
Akhilesh Yadav's Mercedes 'rath' breaks down barely a kilometre into his 'Vikas Yatra' in Lucknow. He has switched to an open-top SUV. Efforts are on to repair the Mercedes 'rath'.
On board the Mercedes 'Rath', Akhilesh Yadav says he is confident that everyone from the farmers to the youth in Uttar Pradesh will support the Samajwadi Party for the development that they bring.
In coming times I am sure that farmers, youth, everyone will support us for all the development that SP brings: Akhilesh Yadav pic.twitter.com/bkKCh1e5EG
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav joins husband Akhilesh Yadav on the 'Vikas Rath Yatra'. She termed the Vikas Rath Yatra and participation by the youth as "a historic beginning."
This will be a historic beginning, we can see so much youth force. We are very positive about the elections: Dimple Yadav #VikasRathYatra pic.twitter.com/J6efNwhmL6
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
"I want to thank Mulayam Singh Yadav for flagging off the event," Akhilesh Yadav said, adding, "This UP election will change national politics."
UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's 'Vikas Rath Yatra' begins:
Akhilesh Yadav's Vikas Rath Yatra flagged off. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav launches the rath yatra. Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to travel 75 km in Lucknow and neighbouring Unnao. Though there are plans for him to stop every 2 kilometres to interact with people, he is likely to do so from a distance - on a hydraulic lift atop his Mercedes "rath".
Akhilesh Yadav says he is happy to see the youth step forward. He says it is the youth that will carry Samajwadi Party's ideology forward.
Lekin mujhe khushi hai ki naujawaano pe, aise yuva aaye hai jo SP ideology ko aage leke jaaenge: UP CM
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
Ye sarkar dobara laane ka samay hai. Logon ne shaazish ki, hum thoda sa dagmagaye hai: UP CM Akhilesh Yadav pic.twitter.com/aoJEmFNB9b
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
Watch: Clash between Samajwadi Party workers in Lucknow ahead of Akhilesh Yadav's Vikas Rath Yatra
#WATCH: Clash erupted between SP workers in Lucknow ahead of UP CM Akhilesh Yadav's "Vikas Rath Yatra" pic.twitter.com/ZTwFgduVP8
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
It is our aim that BJP does not form the government in Uttar Pradesh: Shivpal Yadav at Vikas Rath Yatra function.
Humaara lakshaya hai ki UP mei BJP ki sarkar na bann paaye: Shivpal Yadav at "Vikas Rath Yatra" function
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
Addressing supporters at the 'Vikas Rath Yatra' function in Lucknow, Shivpal Yadav conveyed his best wishes to nephew Akhilesh Yadav, saying "I would like to give my best wishes to Akhilesh Yadav and hope that Samajwadi Party returns to form the government in UP."
"Mai Akhilesh Yadav ko bhi shubh kaamnae dena chahata hu ki SP ki sarkar UP mei aaye" says Shivpal Yadav at "Vikas Rath Yatra" function pic.twitter.com/it5tqcoKdR
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
As Akhilesh Yadav launches the Vikas Rath Yatra in Lucknow, a show of unity in the Samajwadi Party as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav take the stage together.
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav & Shivpal Yadav at the "Vikas Rath Yatra" function in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/qBAPHhyKZi
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
SP workers clash at the venue of "Vikas Rath Yatra" function in Lucknow, workers injured in the scuffle. pic.twitter.com/XgEuQZS3hz
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
SP workers clash at the venue of "Vikas Rath Yatra" function in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/oiXUCaHY2X
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 3, 2016
For his Vikas Yatra, Akhilesh Yadav has a Mercedes Rath with a hydraulic lift mounted on it. Akhilesh Yadav is expected to stop every 2 kms to interact with the people. For crowded areas, he is expected to use the hydraulic lift. Here are a few photos of the Mercedes "Rath":
(NDTV reporting from Lucknow where Akhilesh Yadav will launch his Vikas Rath Yatra. Photo Credit: twitter.com/yadavakhilesh)
(NDTV reporting from Lucknow where Akhilesh Yadav will launch his Vikas Rath Yatra. Photo Credit: twitter.com/yadavakhilesh)
The last time Akhilesh asked for a shot as Chief Minister, he was 36. His campaign promised the youth of one of India's most backward states quality education, free laptops. This time around as well, his team is hoping to retain young voters on their side.
Supporters seen wearing red T-shirts, which have Akhilesh Yadav's photograph; caps have the Samajwadi Party symbol.
Sunil Singh Sajan, who is Akhilesh's go-to guy for his Vikas Yatra, is busy at his home with preparations for Akhilesh's tour, is surrounded by other volunteers, most of whom have also been expelled from the Samajwadi Party. "There is no irony (in this)," he says, "socialism is in our veins whether we remain in the party or not. What is important is that we are with Akhilesh."
Mulayam Singh Yadav is expected for the launch of the tour at Akhilesh's home today, but not his uncle Shivpal Yadav.
Akhilesh Yadav has indicated that even if he is removed as Chief Ministerial candidate, he will campaign for his father aka "Neta-ji". Mulayam Singh Yadav has returned the favour less generously, by confirming that while Akhilesh will be allowed to complete his current term, whether he returns as Chief Minister if the party is re-elected will be decided later.
Mulayam Singh Yadav watched as his confidante and brother, Shivpal Yadav, grabbed the mic from Akhilesh and branded him "a liar." Akhilesh supporters later staged a large protest at the party office. Many of them had already been expelled for indiscipline by Shivpal Yadav a few days ago.
After months of brushing off talk of a sharpening family feud, late last month, all members of the Yadav family expounded publicly and aggressively on their differences at a party meeting in Lucknow.
Today, Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to travel 75 km in Lucknow and neighbouring Unnao. Though there are plans for him to stop every 2 kilometres to interact with people, he is likely to do so from a distance - on a hydraulic lift atop his Mercedes "rath".
Akhilesh Yadav launched his bid for a second term as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh by starting a state-wide rath yatra named 'Vikas Yatra'. 34-year-old Sunil Singh Sajan will head the yatra with all-access to Akhilesh Yadav. He however, is no longer a member of the Samajwadi Party; he was expelled late last month along with other young supporters of the Chief Minister. Akhilesh Yadav, 43, will be surrounded on tour by nearly seven big youth leaders, all banned by his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is also president of Uttar Pradesh's ruling party.
