Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister designate Akhilesh Yadav today said his party has no plans to bring down the UPA government at the Centre and that his party’s support to the Congress-led dispensation will continue.
“...our party’s support is there and it will continue ....UP’s electorate has given SP the majority to take the state forward on the road to development. The majority has not been given to us to bring down the central government,” he said.
Asked whether it was the right time to go for Lok Sabha elections to help SP increase its tally in Parliament, he said there was “no need (for it) now. UP’s electorate has only given us mandate for the prosperity of the State.”
Amid reports that SP and BSP have not been invited for dinner hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for UPA allies, he said, “We will go at the Prime Minister’s dinner. But who will go is yet to be decided.”
On Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s proposed ’federal front’ to protect the interests of states, Mr. Akhilesh said it is difficult for him to comment on it at this stage.
When asked about his proposed meeting with CPI (M) leader Prakash Karat, he said it is a tradition to meet leaders.
“You saw that I met most of the leaders in Central Hall yesterday as I won’t be able to return (to Delhi) as my responsibilities have increased in Lucknow...there are no equations to be formed, it is only a courtesy call. Do not find any political issue in these meetings,” he said.
When asked whether his lack of administrative experience will create hurdles for him as his new role as CM, he said it is true that he lacked experience. “It will take some time, but my team will help me,” he said.
On the role of party chief and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr. Akhilesh said the senior Yadav will concentrate on national politics. “He will also guide us,” he said.
