The Election Commission’s decision to allot the “bicycle” symbol to the Akhilesh faction of the Samajwadi Party as the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister who enjoyed majority in the party’s organizational and legislative structures is justified. The son finally came out of his father’s shadow. This was the most important case to decide as to who will get the bicycle. Akhilesh is a clear winner with Cycle Symbol and by joining with Congress and other parties; he can very well confine BSP and BJP to single digits. Akhilesh is an undisputed leader of the Samajwadi Party and shows that he is the new face of the Uttar Pradesh politics. With his ability to deliver on development be it roads, Lucknow Metro and the ongoing project Agra-Lucknow Express Way and such other developmental projects has turned the political fortune in favour of him. The old style of Mulayam will now go away and a new wave of governance will emerge. The political journey of Mulayam Singh that began in 1969 seems to have hit a major roadblock, with his party and family split down the middle. Akhilesh has cornered the support of 210 of the SP’s 229 MLAs clearly shows that he loses no opportunity to emphasize that his calling card in politics is clean, aspirational governance that is focused on development and restoring law and order. Young generation is increasingly asserting itself in UP, resounding thumping victory of Akhilesh in being legal claimant to election symbol of Samajwadi Party ‘Cycle’ is the testimony to it. Besides all ups and downs, one feels that it is a family drama and in the end they will fight elections jointly.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
