Hope Election Commission lifts ban on Azam as well: Akhilesh Yadav

After the Election Commission revoked ban on Amit Shah's participation in poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today hoped the restriction on SP leader Mohd Azam Khan too would be lifted.

"The EC has imposed ban on Azam without going through his reply...I hope, the Commission will soon lift his ban too (as it has done in case of Narendra Modi's close aide)," Yadav told reporters in reply to a question. "We will put our legal view on the issue at the opportune time," he said.

On being asked about party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's statement that a number of BJP leaders, who are against Modi, are in touch with him, Yadav said Modi was made PM candidate under RSS pressure. "He has been made PM candidate under pressure of RSS... A number of BJP leaders did not want this... It's known to everyone," he said.

Asked specifically whether they were in touch with BJP leaders, Yadav said "miltey rahtey hain" (they keep meeting) but did not elaborate. 

On claims by BJP leaders Uma Bharti and Kalyan Singh that SP legislators were touch with them, Yadav said they were spreading rumours and EC should take cognisance.

Yadav later flagged off SP's "video-on-wheels" vehicle for poll campaign.