Samajwadis slow off the blocks in the run-up to U.P. polls
The Hindu
With RLD and PSP alliances yet to be firmed up and confused messages, Akhilesh Yadav faces an uphill battle
A fawning biography of party president Akhilesh Yadav followed by the launch of a new ‘Samajwadi’ perfume, described as ‘scent of socialism’, projected Mr. Yadav as a progressive leader with a focus on development and youth, but ground reports suggest that, so far, the party has not been able to amplify the issues that the BJP had given it on a platter.
The perfume, prepared in Kannauj, may have a mix of 22 fragrances, but the party is yet to arrive at an amalgamation of its alliance partners to take on the BJP that is feeling resurgent after the repeal of farm laws.
Big announcements were expected on patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's birthday on Monday but Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Singh didn’t even tweet birthday wishes to the three-time Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh who counts Chaudhary Charan Singh as his mentor.
As speculation over the continuation of Minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare B. Nagendra in the Cabinet persisted, with the demand for his resignation raised by the BJP in connection with the ₹94 crore scam at the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, his Cabinet colleagues came to his defence on Thursday.