SP chief meets MLAs; attacks BJP

Ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today held a meeting with his party MLAs and attended a dinner where his uncle Shivpal Yadav was also present.

Akhilesh during meeting with party legislators discussed strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls with them while attacking the BJP for fielding an extra candidate.

"If the BJP had morality and cared for democratic values, it would not have fielded the ninth candidate. It seems the BJP does not mind mal-practices and is functioning in an autocratic manner," Akhilesh Yadav said while addressing party legislators.

The BJP has fielded Anil Kumar Agarwal, a businessman, as its ninth candidate forcing a contest in the elections. The party is sure of winning eight seats.

While Shivpal Yadav was not present at the meeting with MLAs, he turned up at the dinner in the evening.

"I will be voting and both (SP and BSP candidate supported by SP) will win. My blessings are always with Akhilesh," Shivpal Yadav said.

The SP has 47 MLAs in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, of whom Nitin Agarwal is expected to vote for the BJP. Nitin Agrawal is the son of Naresh Agrawal, who recently quit SP and joined the saffron party.

Senior SP leader Azam Khan, his son Abdullah Azam, and another legislator Hariom (lodged in jail) were also absent from the SP meeting.

Party leaders, however, asserted that they were firmly in the SP fold and expressed confidence that their candidates.

Besides, party legislators, SP candidate Jaya Bachchan, Dimple Yadav and others were also present at the dinner.

Independent MLA Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya, who was cabinet minister in Akhilesh's regime also attended the dinner. "I am with Akhilesh ji", he said.