Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday sought votes for the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance candidates, saying the tie-up is coming together of two young minds thinking of the welfare of the state and its people.
Addressing an election rally in Ramnagar of Barabanki district in support of his cabinet colleague and close aide Arvind Singh Gope, the SP president also said that the result of the state assembly elections will set the tone for future politics in the country.
Recounting the achievements of his government in the last five years, the 43-year-old leader also said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi only speaks, he is one who has delivered on the ground.
"In times of crisis, Gope has been by my side and I am sure that you will send him to the Vidhan Sabha with a big victory margin," he told the gathering.
Raising the issue of demonetisation, the Chief Minister said that Modi ensured that people stood in long queues outside banks and ATMs to get their own hard-earned money.
"The entire economy crashed because of the ill-conceived and badly executed decision and small traders. Farmers have paid a heavy price in demonetisation," he said.
Warning the people to be careful of Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, the SP leader said she has formed a government with the help of the BJP in the past and will do it again.
Referring to the bickerings in his family and the feud in the ruling party, he also made an oblique reference to his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav and alleged that people tried to marginalise him.
Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav also warned the electorate here that like in the past, the BSP might again "celebrate 'raksha bandhan'" with the BJP after the Assembly elections.
"Buaji (aunt Mayawati) says she will prefer sitting in the opposition (if she did not get majority)... you all need to remain vigilant. They (BSP and BJP) have earlier too celebrated 'raksha bandhan'. She can again celebrate the festival with the BJP," he said at a poll rally.
Akhilesh was referring to the BSP and the BJP forming coalition government in the past and Mayawati tying a rakhi on BJP leaders like Lalji Tandon. Cautioning voters against the BSP, he alleged, "The party which gives tickets in return of money can take any decision in the future for the sake money."