UP polls: 'SP will script history by retaining power in 2017 assembly elections', says Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday asserted that he will script history by retaining power on his development plank and took a jibe at BJP over note ban, saying those who put the people to hardships could be running away from polls.

“Everyone is waiting for the poll dates and if there is anyone who is waiting the most for elections, it is me... I am ready for elections ever since I flagged off the Lucknow metro (trial run),” he said while addressing the police officials at IPS week in Lucknow.

“Though people say that governments are never repeated in Uttar Pradesh, ever since I have started working, I have been makin g history in all spheres and I’m confident that it will be made this time and I will be sitting along with you all once again, formulating future strategies,” Yadav said.

In an apparent reference to the Centre’s demonetisation move and the problems faced by people after it, the chief minister said, “those who have put the people to hardships could be running away from elections” and that he had been forced to act against police officials who had to bear the brunt for the wrongs of others.

Yadav had suspended the concerned SP and SHO after a video clip showing a policeman baton charging people standing in queue outside a bank in Fatehpur district went viral on social media.

Talking about the incident he said, “I had told the DGP to prepare the force so that they do not have to resort to lathi charge on people standing in the queues as the anger aimed at others could be redirected towards us”.

Speculations are rife that election dates will be announced soon with the Election Commission asking the governments in five poll bound states to consult it before announcing examination dates in their respective states.

The EC asked the UP government to reschedule next year’s state board examination dates in consultation with it so as to ensure that it does not clash with the Assembly polls which are due early next year.