Realizing that only all round development could ensure victory in 2017 assembly polls chief minister Akhilesh Yadav celebrated third anniversary as “vikas diwas’.

Akhilesh Yadav as the main face of Samajwadi Party had received massive mandate from all sections of society in 2012 assembly poll which was instrumental in making him chief minister. Law and order and Power being main challenges before Samajwadi party government, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav is now focusing on these two issues.

Chief Minister has allocated huge funds in current annual budget for power sector for increasing the power generation the state. The support of private sector has also been sought.

Law and order has always been main issue before Samajwadi Party as government faces allegation from the opposition and the media as official machinery goes soft on party leaders, legislators and workers who are involved in criminal activities.

Realizing this weakness in the party, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has repeatedly asked party leaders and workers to distance themselves from the criminal activities and warned they would face strict punishment if he received reports regarding their involvement.

During last three years, Akhilesh Yadav has consolidated his hold over the party as he continues to be the state president.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav scored point when Samajwadi Party captured 11 assembly seats from BJP in by-elections. These seats were won by BJP in 2012 assembly polls but the party nominated them in Lok Sabha polls and they won.

The defeat of BJP by AAP in Delhi has on one hand boosted the morale of SP in UP while on the other hand, it made it clear to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav that people would vote only on development agenda.

The main opposition party BSP is demoralized at the manner in which its voters shifted to BJP in Lok Sabha polls and it would be very difficult for BSP supremo Mayawati to bring back dalit voters back to party fold.

Mayawati is also facing problems as brother and sister of BSP founder late Kanshiram have joined hands with disgruntled elements in the party and those thrown out from the party recently, to challenge her leadership.

BJP leaders who were in upbeat mood after Narendra Modi was installed as PM and the party won 73 out of total 80 seats in Lok Sabha poll from UP are not at all confident about their success in the 2017 assembly polls in the state.

There is a realization in BJP now that they would have to work hard to reach out to masses with alternative growth agenda. BJP leaders are also critical of those leaders who talk of Hindutva agenda which also includes ‘ghar vapsi conversions’, love jihad and instigating communal riots and producing more children to counter Muslim population.

As of now there is no serious threat from Congress to Samajwadi Party and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. The bonhomie between Congress and Samajwadi Party in recent Rajya Sabha and UP Council polls which ensured one party support to other made it clear that there could be possible alliance between SP and Congress in next assembly polls. This mood was evident when CLP leader Pradeep Mathur praised chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and senior cabinet minister Shivpal Yadav during discussions on budget in UP Assembly. (IPA Service)