Akhilesh names 403 candidates for SP

Lucknow: Family feud within the the first family of the ruling Samajwadi Party has suddenly escalated after a month as the election commission was on verge of announcing the assembly poll dates when Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has sent the names of all 403 candidates of his choice for the party to the party's national president Mulayam Singh Yadav today.

Besides, Akhilesh has also showed his interest in contesting the assembly polls from Bundelkhand region, thus giving enough hint of start his new political career and go out of the family political area of Etawah-Mainpuri- Auriyya and Ferozabad.

According to sources here today, the CM has showed his interest in contesting either from Babina seat in Jhansi district or from a seat in Mahoba, probably Charkhari. Earlier too, Akhilesh had publicly said that if required he would contest the polls so that he can lead the party from the front. Presently, the CM is the member of the upper house of the state legislature.

Last evening Akhilesh suddenly met the national president, who also happens to be his father , and handed over the list of 403 candidates of his choice. SP had already announced around 175 candidates and it could not be ascertained whether the Akhilesh list also includes those names or not. Highly placed sources within the party and close to Akhilesh Yadav here has confirmed the fresh move on part of the CM.

 The move could be is a part of his effort for a grand alliance in UP with Congress and other secular parties. Sources hinted that the move is basically an attempt on part of Akhilesh Yadav to prove his hold on the party and his determination to enforce his will. Meanwhile, Akhilesh main opponent and his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav talking to reporters here today claimed ticket distribution will be on the bases of winnability and nothing else. Besides, he said that party president Mulayam Singh Yadav is the sole authority in distributing the tickets and selecting the names of the candidates. "

We will not entertain any indiscipline in the party and strict action would be taken against anyone going against the party," he said. Yadav, who refused to make any comment on the candidates list handed over by Akhilesh, said that party high command will decide on the candidates. " Except for Netaji, no one has the say in the selection of the candidates," he said while adding that any pre- poll alliance would also be decided by Mulayam Singh Yadav. Shivpal is the state president of the SP and he had announced 175 candidates so far. (UNI)