Demonetisation chaos will help us retain power: Akhilesh
The UP CM also said while it is too early to predict, there might be chances for a pre-poll alliance with Congress.
Lucknow: UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav opines that the days of caste-based politics in the state are over and now problems with the two Ds — development and demonetisation — will work in favour of the Samajwadi Party in the upcoming assembly polls.
According to him, his family feud is no more a factor and all issues have been changed post demonetisation.
"That is a thing of the past now. We are working together to win the elections. Issues have changed and post demonetisation nobody remembers that (family feud). All the other issues have been left behind and demonetisation has emerged as the key issue," he said.
He asserted that Uttar Pradesh will vote for his work, image and not on caste equations.
"Our work in the last five years and the problems people are now facing due to demonetisation will lead us to victory in upcoming elections. Polling booths will see long queues like the ones outside ATMs now," said Akhilesh.
When asked who he considers the bigger rival — BJP or BSP, he said people of Uttar Pradesh have lost faith in both of them.
"BJP has done nothing for Uttar Pradesh in the last two and a half years. The Prime Minister was elected from UP, home minister and defence minister also represent UP. They have the maximum number of MPs from UP but they have given nothing to the state apart from Adarsh Gaon Yojna and nothing is happening on that front also," he said.
"As far as BSP is concerned, people are not interested in getting elephants installed everywhere," he added.
His father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has already ruled out any pre-poll alliance with Congress but Akhilesh said it will be premature to predict anything as of now.
"Of course the party president will take a call on that but I believe that we will get 300 plus seats if we enter into a pre-poll alliance with Congress. I know that netaji (Mulayam) has said there will be no alliances. But there is still time for the elections and you must wait and watch," he said.
"I do not have any doubt on getting an absolute majority but we can get 300 plus seats if we fight together. Samajwadis believe that Congress is their best friend when it is weak," he said.