LUCKNOW: Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav will contest his first ever assembly election from Karhal seat in Mainpuri district.
The decision was taken on Thursday evening after discussions with the party leaders. A formal announcement in this connection with likely within the next couple of days.
Earlier, there were speculations that Akhilesh may contest elections from Gopalpur assembly seat of Azamgarh – the parliamentary constituency which has elected Akhilesh to represent it in the Lok Sabha in 2019 general elections.
This will be the first time that Akhilesh will contest the assembly elections. In 2012, when Akhilesh led his party to form the Samajwadi Party government in UP and become the country's youngest chief minister at 38, he took the legislative council route to become a member of the house.
On Wednesday, Akhilesh ducked questions about reports that he too was planning to contest the assembly elections. Responding to a media query, he said if at all the party decides that he should contest elections, he will first seek an approval from the people of Azamgarh who have elected him and sent him to the Parliament.
In November, Akhilesh had denied reports that he was planning to contest elections. A couple of weeks later, he modified his stance stating that he will contest elections if the party decides so.
SP chief’s decision to contest assembly elections comes in the backdrop of BJP nominating incumbent chief Yogi Adityanath to contest elections from Gorakhpur (Urban) seat.
