Akhilesh Yadav remained non-committal about PM face.
Speaking at Zee Media's India ka DNA Conclave 2019, former CM Akhilesh Yadav said that opposition leaders managed to give a message with their show of unity during oath-taking ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy as Karnataka CM.
Regarding lessons learned from the past election defeat, Akhilesh Yadav said that he wanted to win elections on the basis of his work. However, Akhilesh said that the last election was about caste and religion and SP was trumped by BJP.
Akhilesh Yadav during the interview highlighted several projects done during his time, but according to him some glue was missing, something that drives voters to booth. Alluding to his alliance with BSP, Akhilesh said that the party has learnt from BJP and is now beating them in their own game.
According to Akhilesh Yadav, the government has broken the dreams of youngsters and it is likely to have bad impact on future generations. UP CM said that the loan waiver package for farmers is not adequate. He accused that infrastructure work has significantly slowed down in UP under the Yogi Adityanath government.
According to Akhilesh Yadav, Adityanath is only busy in ribbon-cutting and is busy inaugurating projects started by his government. When questioned if the Kairana and Phulpur model of opposition unity can be replicated across the nation, Akhilesh evaded a direct answer and said that Uttar Pradesh will hold the key to winning the 2019 elecitons.
SP chief said that he hopes that there is a new PM in the country after the next election but refused to divulge his choice for the top post. Akhilesh said that a name will only be decided after election results are out. When asked if he is a PM candidate, Akhilesh Yadav said that he doesn't have such big dreams.
Regarding legitimacy of Rahul Gandhi's stake to claims, Akhilesh Yadav said that Congress President has advantage owing to its rich political legacy. However, if Congress is harbouring a dream, it needs to work hard, said Akhilesh Yadav.
Akhilesh refused to divulge his strategy when asked if SP would back Mayawati as PM. Akhilesh refused to equate SP-BSP and BJP-PDP relationship, saying in UP, it is a matter of social justice, whereas in Kashmir, it is the question of nationalism. According to ex-UP CM, the government has failed to deliver its duty in Jammu and Kashmir.
Social justice in the narrative for 2019 and opposition is getting united to stop BJP, said Akhilesh Yadav. In a veiled jibe at Yogi Adityanath, Akhilesh Yadav said that as long as his blessings are there, SP will win.
Akhilesh repeatedly skirted the issue of leadership and Congress' role in it saying issues will determine voting patterns. Akhilesh praised Mamata Banerjee, KCR, Chandrababu Naidu and others by saying they have done exemplary work.
Evaluating Modi's work, Akhilesh said that Modi's constituency is in UP, but the state didn't get anything. He gave an example of bullet trains among other things which UP has been denied.
Weighing on next year's Lok Sabha polls, Akhilesh Yadav said that the alliance is likely to get majority number of seats. He also said that the party is even willing to face simultaneous elections in the state. Akhiesh Yadav said socialists are ahead in work, whereas BJP is only ahead in promotions.
When repeatedly prodded about whether he is also in the running, Akhilesh Yadav said that he doesn't want to go to Delhi. He however demanded that the next election should be held via ballots and not EVMs.
Akhilesh Yadav signed off saying as long as they stick to agenda, and get their message across, the grand alliance can win next election and India will get a new PM in 2019.
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