Recently, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav and Editor-in-Chief of DNA, Zee News and WION spoke to Akhilesh Yadav in a freewheeling interview. Yadav spoke at length about various issues, including the alliance with Congress, UP's law-and-order situation and his prime ministerial ambitions. He also spoke about the family feud within the Samajwadi Party and PM Modi's attacks on the SP-Cong alliance. Check out excerpts from the interview and the video below: 

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On alliance with Congress:

The alliance was formed to remove all the confusion in people’s mind. We will win the largest number of seats. Going solo would have helped us win 250 seats, now we are hoping for 300 . The tie-up will ensure our victory. It will give a strong message to entire country.

On giving Congress 105 seats:

We need to be large-hearted for a strong friendship. Friendship of misers don’t last long. We have given them more seats so that we can maintain the friendship. This is a dosti of two young people. Rahul and I both want to see this state progress.

On Congress’ previous stand against SP:

Slogans can be changed. “Paanch saal UP Behal” can be converted to “Agale 27 saal UP khushhaal”. Congress and Rahulji had said a few things earlier but I will only count the days since we started our relationship.

On Rahul Gandhi playing big brother:

No leader is small or big, senior or junior in politics. Here, seniors become junior and vice versa as the situation changes. Congress is a national party and has been at power in the centre for long. But when Congress is at its weakest, the Samajwadi Party would be its closest friend. We both will oust communal forces from UP.

On his ambition to become PM:

I haven’t thought of that. I do dream but not that big. I rather want to complete my work in UP. Metro, extension of expressway, skill centres, 24-hour power in villages etc. I am not thinking of the Centre. I can stay longer in Lucknow. The stay at Centre is usually much shorter. People remain happy till they are in the state.

On whether BSP or BJP were their main rival:

We just ride bicycle without looking behind. We wanted to present a secular alliance before people. We are doing just that.

On MSY and allegations of staged drama:

Whatever I had felt during those days, nobody can understand. I did whatever was possible in that situation. Like me, Netaji (father Mulayam Singh Yadav) also wanted to take the party ahead. He is campaigning for our candidates now. I consider this his blessing. After this election, Netaji will emerge as the most respected person. 

On law and order, women’s safety, 12% share in crime:

Those who blame us for failing on law-and-order, must compare us with other states. UP has 22 crore population so don’t play up some incidents. The people who have failed on development are now raking up law and order issue. Sultanpur rape and murder case is a conspiracy. None of the party leader is associated with this case. They can do CBI probe. Women in UP are going outside home in the night. We are doing our best to give them safe environment. On Agra expressway, police are present at every 30 km.

Yadavization of state in general, police in particular:

This is untrue that 60% police stations in UP are headed by Yadavs. These are old figures, and the station officer post is very small. By the way, have you seen any Yadav as DIG, IG or SP. If someone is capable, he will get the post. Most people who die on the border are Yadavs.

On UP’s ‘backwardness’:

In capital investment, only Maharashtra is ahead of us. GDP figure is much better now. UP had won several awards for excellent work in skill education, improving forest cover and infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate. We are giving 24-hour power in cities, we have made largest expressway. We are number 1 in producing sugarcane, milk, potato and wheat.

On bad press and why?

I think crimes cases of UP are covered disproportionately in the national media. When the Bulandhshahar rape incident happened, at the same time a rape case in Gurgaon also came up where a woman was violated twice. The news was not covered by the national media the way Bulandshahar case was covered. I think we are being targeted as we don’t have share in media companies.

On Modi’s statements against him:

I think Modi ji and Amit Shah are frustrated. The vote bank which they were hoping to grab is slipping away. They are running a negative campaign against us. But please let the people know about your good work. He (Modi) must tell what he has done for Lucknow rather than blaming us for not doing anything. Since, they have done nothing, they are giving long speeches in a desperate attempt to misguide people.

On impact of demonetization:

Money is not black or white, but the transactions are. Demonetization was projected as a move against corruption and black money. People faced huge trouble standing in queue for hours. They lost businesses and jobs. They will queue up again to support us.

On Lohia’s Samajwad Vs SP’s Samajwad:

We have not deviated from our principles. If some people are earning individually through business and riding on expensive cars, it doesn’t mean the party has dumped the socialism. We firmly believe in socialist principles. Most of our schemes such as laptops for youths and pension for poor are socialist ones.

On dynasty politics in SP:

I will ensure that my family persons come in politics only if they get elected by people. I won’t give them a walkover. If the situation arises where I have to cut down the family members from politics, then I would start it with Dimple (wife). I would request her to stay at home and take care of children and leave politics. 

Watch the full video below: