Akhilesh talks about secular agenda for 2014 elections

Yadav claims that his is the only government in India to draft detailed development agenda for each department with fixed timelines

Uttar Pradesh chief minister and ruling Samajwadi Party’s youth face Akhilesh Yadav on Monday harped on development and secular agenda for next general election due in the first half of 2014.

“The development agenda is certainly there along with the agenda to stop communal forces by galvanising secular fronts,” Yadav replied when asked about the party’s core agenda in run up to the Lok Sabha poll.

Ostensibly referring to the Delhi assembly poll results, he underlined that the electorate had amply demonstrated they were looking for an alternative to both Congress and BJP.

“The election results have also shown that the communal forces have become stronger and only UP can stop their march,” he added.

He was addressing the media while unveiling his government’s development plans in the key sectors of energy, industrial/infrastructure development, medical education and public works department (PWD).

On the candidature of mafioso-turned politician Atiq Ahmad from Sultanpur parliamentary constituency, Yadav said no one was above the law and that the party would ensure that laws were not broken.

Ahmad, who is facing dozens of criminal cases, blatantly displayed his muscle and firepower during his maiden visit to Sultanpur yesterday after the announcement of his candidature. His serpentine cavalcade reportedly included about 200 luxury vehicles and armed cohorts.

Earlier, Yadav claimed that his was the only government in India to draft detailed development agenda for each department with fixed timelines.

“There is no dearth of funds for development projects and the government would ensure that funds are readily available whenever needed in future as well,” he added.

He said India could proper only when UP prospered as the state was home to the largest chunk of population.