Lucknow: Seeking to send a message of unity in the ruling Samajwadi Party which has been battling a bitter power struggle, Mulayam Singh Yadav today flagged off Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s rath yatra in the presence of state SP chief Shivpal Yadav here.
Ending days of suspense on whether he will be present or not, the SP patriarch arrived at La Martinere grounds – the flag off venue – soon after Akhilesh reached there. Shivpal also joined them moments later.
Mulayam took a seat on the stage and was flanked by Shivpal on one side and Akhilesh on the other to send a message that the party was united ahead of the upcoming UP Assemly elections barely a few months away.
“Akhilesh ko hum shubhkamna detey hain (I wish him well),” Shivpal said, adding the “vikas sey vijay ki aur yatra” will send a message of unity across the state and halt BJP in its tracks.
“Our target is to prevent BJP from coming to power in the state in the crucial 2017 elections,” he said.
