Mulayam will be UP's next CM, says Akhilesh

As the Samajwadi Party neared the magic figure to regain power Uttar Pradesh, its state unit president Akhilesh Yadav today said party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav will be the Chief Minister.

Akhilesh said the party's Parliamentary Board will meet tomorrow to decide on issues like staking claim before Governor BL Joshi to form the next government.

"I have answered this question several times.... We all want netaji [Mulayam] as the Chief Minister," Akhilesh said seeking to put a lid on speculation that he would be the next chief minister of the state.

Replying to questions on the possibility of SP seeking support of independent MLAs, the party's state unit chief said his party will not take support of "mafia".

On possibility of removing statues of elephants [BSP's election symbol] as also of outgoing Chief Minister Mayawati, he said SP has already made it clear that the statues would not be removed.

"...There is enough space [in parks] to open medical colleges," he said adding that the area can be utilised for opening up education institutes.

Asked "who is number one Rahul Gandhi or Akhilesh after polls results", Akhilesh said that he never like being compared to anyone, including Rahul.

"It's you the media which compare.... I don't like myself to be compared with anyone. We are in politics and victory and defeat are part of it. One has to accept defeat when it comes. I am here to thank people for ensuring success of the party," he said.

On the issue of the rise in crime graph during the previous SP regime, he said no one was above law and stringent action would be taken against those who indulge in criminal activities.