Akhilesh ups ante against Shivpal, says "will continue as CM"

Amid the growing chorus in the Shivpal Yadav camp to ensure that he is not given the chief minister's chair for the second consecutive term, incumbent Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday clearly stated that he is there to stay.

"I have already said it in the legislative assembly that I will only present the sixth budget," Akhilesh said during an interactive session at Devi Women Award Distribution, thereby clearly stating that he would continue as the Chief Minister if the Samajwadi Party wins the assembly polls scheduled next year.

Expressing confidence of his party's win, Akhilesh said, "'I'm telling you that the Samajwadi Party only will make the government. Presently, no party is in a position to compete with the Samajwadi party whether it the BJP or the BSP."

Taking a jibe at BJP president Amit Shah's earlier assertion that the Uttar Pradesh Government is run by three and a half chief ministers, Akhilesh said, "The party (BJP) has failed to find even one Chief Minister to be the face of UP election."

This comes as sacked Cabinet member Shivpal Yadav has been accused by Akhilesh's supporters of plotting his removal as the Chief Minister.