Samajwadi Party leaders feel that young Akhilesh has proved himself more capable than his predecessors including his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav and late Ram Sharan Das, who remained president of state SP for more than a decade. They feel Akhilesh Yadav is for the SP what Rahul Gandhi is for the Congress.

Drawing a parallel between the two leaders, Samajwadi Party leaders said that like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav too had his education abroad. Akhilesh Yadav is also very humble and down to earth like Rahul Gandhi.

Party leaders feel that Akhilesh Yadav has been able to attract youth towards the party in a big way.

With Mulayam turning his attention to national politics in the wake of the Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh was required to infuse young blood in the party and face new challenges. That is why Mulayam replaced his younger brother Shivpal Singh with Akhilesh.

Akhilesh proved his hold over the voters in Lok Sabha polls when he won from two constituencies, Kannauj and Firozabad. Akhilesh Yadav retained Kannauj from where he won thrice, and vacated Firozabad for his wife Dimple, who is the SP candidate in the by-election to be held on November 7.

The real test for Akhilesh came when he led the state-wide agitation in September to protest against what the party termed as “anti-people polities” of the Mayawati government and atrocities on women. According to political analysts, the agitation was a success as more then 10 lakhs party workers hit the streets in response to the party's call, and the police had to resort to a lathi-charge in many places.

In order to win the support of students, Akhilesh has demanded a 25 per cent increase in the number of seats in institutions of higher education and starting of evening classes in many universities.

It is not as if Akhilesh is critical of only the BSP and the Mayawati government. He has also launched a campaign against the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for the price rise and the so-called austerity measures of Congress Ministers.

Akhilesh has also established a good rapport with not only senior leaders of his party but also his uncles Ram Gopal and Shivpal Yadav. His ties with SP general secretary Amar Skingh are cordial too. (IPA)