Kick-starting his election campaign, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today targeted the BJP-led government at the Centre, saying in order to take credit it will incorporate in the Union Budget some of the ambitious schemes announced in the SP manifesto.
The SP National President also sought to ridicule the 'achchey din' promise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying instead of good days, people got 'jhadu' (broom) or were asked to do yoga.
"Our manifesto has so many ambitious schemes for women and youth. I think the Union Budget might incorporate some of them so that BJP can take credit," he said at a well attended gathering here.
He made a scathing attack on BJP for its demonetisation decision and said people in the rural areas were facing severe hardships.
After clinching an alliance with Congress, Akhilesh who took over the mantle of SP president, said, "Now after the tie-up with Congress, we will bag over 300 of the 403 Assembly seats."
Having won the Yadav power game, the chief minister said he had faced many ups and downs and whatever stand he took was meant only for the welfare of the people.
He dwelt at length on the SP's manifesto and reminded the people that whatever promise he had made in 2012 had been fulfilled.
Akhilesh highlighted the achivements of his government during the past five years to drive home the point that he believed in development "while others believe in doing dirty politics".
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"Modiji has made fun of expressway and metro... As of now let the people of Ayodhya and Faizabad vote only then will the real blood pressure of all the BJP leaders will be known," Akhilesh said.
Referring to his government's development works at the historical city of Ayodhya, Akhilesh said, "The ghats here were made by Netaji (Mulayam Singh) and I have got made a 'bhajan sthal' so that people here could listen to the psalms peacefully."
"The Samajwadis want to develop Ayodhya as a beautiful city but BJP wants to do politics on this city," he said.
In a veiled reference to PM Modi's reaction to his "donkey" comment, Akhilesh said, "I do not want to go into the advertisement, if I say anything further, I don't know what Pradhan Mantriji will say."
"BJP people are reading Ka se Kasab...I have read Ka sey kabotar and they are messengers of peace," he said, referring to BJP chief Amit Shah's KASAB remark -- KA for Congress, SA for SP and B for BSP.
Akhilesh said the Samajwadi people are so adept at cycling that at times they can ride a cycle even by taking hands off the handle, as he stressed on the SP support from the Congress, which has 'hand' as its election symbol, for the crucial hustings.
"Now think how fast this cycle will go," Akhilesh said seeking the support of people in these polls.
