Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi open a new chapter in UP politics

When the two “achche ladke" appeared atop the bus during their maiden roadshow, there was a roar of approval as the boisterous crowd shouted "Jai jai jai jai Akhilesh". Akhilesh Yadav immediately bent to convey something to his key aide Sunil Kumar Sajan, who was walking alongside the bus. What he said got drowned in the cacophony of slogan-shouting, but Rahul Gandhi smiled. The Congress Vice President took hold of the Samajwadi Party President and UP chief minister’s right arm and raised it skywards in a ‘V’ for victory sign. Indeed, the bus too was dubbed the 'UP Vijay Rath’.

Sunday saw the start of a new chapter in the history of Uttar Pradesh politics, as Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi formally launched the alliance of their parties for the UP assembly polls, declaring at a press conference before the road show that theirs is a political 'sangam' to take on divisive forces led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As the rath inched past the streets of Lucknow, reaching Mayfair Crossing near Hazratganj, the crowd dominated by Samajwadi Party youth wearing red party caps shouted "UP ko yeh saath pasand hai" (UP favours this alliance). It was now the turn of Akhilesh Yadav to make a victory sign, as Rahul Gandhi waved towards the crowd.

The Samajwadi-Congress road show passed through three assembly constituencies in Lucknow. There seemed to be enthusiasm for the alliance on the streets, but the crowd had its share of the doubtful. "It’s nice to see two young leaders trying to rewrite UP's fortune. They are full of ideas. The only question that crosses my mind is whether they are serious, or is it an opportunistic alliance limited to UP only," said school teacher Rameshwar Saran, adding "I will vote for BJP but have come to see this yatra. The crowd is good". When asked whether this alliance will dent BJP's chances, he said: "Let's see."

Nawab Jafar Mir Abdullah was a bit reticent when asked about the alliance’s prospects. "They have made a late beginning. There is a challenge before them to take this unity down to the ground level," he said.

'Hand' to steer 'Cycle' and defeat BJP in UP

Before the road show, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav made the following points at a joint press conference:

• The Congress VP said the alliance slogan to win the elections was "progress, prosperity and peace” for UP, to which Akhilesh Yadav added another P for "peoples' alliance"
• Rahul Gandhi: "The alliance is the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna out of which the Saraswati of development will come out; we have joined to counter the BJP and RSS who are promoting hatred," adding “Yeh dil ka alliance hai, mil ke jeetenge” (It is an alliance of hearts, we will win together)
• In response to a question of Congress alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party in future, Rahul Gandhi said that his respect for BSP chief Mayawati at a personal level was intact. "BSP government might have committed mistakes. I personally respect Mayawatiji. I respect Kanshi Ram also. BJP's ideology is harmful to the country but Mayawati's ideology is not. Do not compare Mayawatiji with RSS."
• Rahul Gandhi said he would not speak on the contentious issue of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya as the matter is sub judice. "But any verdict of the court would be accepted," he stated.
• Akhilesh Yadav said that "Cycle and hand is a great combination. Besides Rahul Gandhi and I are like the two wheels of the same cycle."
• Neither Rahul nor Akhilesh were definitive about whether Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra or Dimple Yadav would campaign for the alliance.
• Both leaders refused to comment on the future of the alliance after the UP polls. When asked if he would project Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister in 2019 Lok Sabha polls as he has been projected as the CM face of the alliance, Akhilesh Yadav responded with "Why are you in such a hurry" .

Out of the 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, SP will be contesting 298 and the Congress 105. The first phase of polling is on February 11.

With inputs from PTI.