Akhilesh Yadav to embark on 'Samajwadi Rath Yatra' in UP in September

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will set out on a 'Samajwadi Rath Yatra' across the state in September as part of his party's re-election bid next year.

The 'chariot ride', which he will take in a special van, would allow Akhilesh to make mass contact with people in all parts of the state and highlight the achievements of the government, a Samajwadi Party (SP) strategist said on Friday.

Assembly elections are due in the state early next year.

The entire programme is being chalked out by a young team of party leaders that is coordinating with the chief minister's secretariat for dates and other logistical support, including security.

A meeting of the party's youth wing has been convened on July 13-14, which, other than taking stock of party's preparedness for the polls at the booth level, will also decide the route of the 'Samajwadi Rath Yatra'.

Akhilesh had also held a state-wide 'rath yatra' ahead of 2012 assembly elections in which his party had won a clear majority, enabling him to become the youngest chief minister of the state.