LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday filed his nomination for Karhal assembly seat in Mainpuri district and said the 2022 UP polls would be historic and lay the foundation of the state and country's future for the next century.
He described his nomination from Karhal as his mission to stride for victory of SP's progressive approach in politics against BJP's politics of negativity.
"This nomination is a mission as 2022 polls will write the history of the state and country's future for next century. Come forward with a progressive approach to constructive politics and be a part of this struggle aimed to defeat and remove negative and destructive politics," Akhiesh tweeted in Hindu minutes after he filed his nomination at Mainpuri district Collectorate.
The SP chief left Lucknow by road early in the morning to reach his native village of Saifai from where he boarded his Vijay Rath to reach Mainpuri. Aware of Akhilesh's visit, people lined up on their side of the road to catch a glimpse of the former UP CM who waved at them. He reached the Collectorate flanked by party's principal general secretary Ramgopal Yadav, former MP Tej Pratap Yadav and Dharmendra Yadav apart from sitting MLA Sobaran Singh.
This is the first time that Akhilesh Yadav is contesting any assembly elections in his two decade long political career. Karhal is part of the Mainpuri parliamentary constituency represented by party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav. Karhal will go to polls on February 20 in the third of the seven-phase elections in the state.
After filing his nomination, Akhilesh thanked the people of Mainpuri and Karhal in particular for the manner in which they have assured and pledged their support to him and Samajwadi Party in the 2022 polls. "I want to thank the people of Karhal and Mainpuri for the unflinching support that they had offered to SP. It is this love and support from the people that prompted the party to field me as a candidate from Karhal. We will not let anyone down," he said.
Describing the elections as a battle against negativity he appealed to the people to give opportunity to the SP not only in Karhal but in every area, to serve them. "I assure you the party will take the state on the path of development, prosperity and progress," he said. Responding to a media query related to his schedule for campaigning in his constituency, Akhilesh said: "I have left my election to party leaders and people here. I will certainly come, if I get a chance. But people here have assured me that there is no need for me to come here. Yes, I will certainly come after winning."
Minutes after Akhilesh filed his nomination, uncle Shivpal Yadav, who is the SP candidate from the nearby Jaswantnagar Assembly constituency, took to kooapp to congratulate him.
"Best wishes to dear Akhikesh for his nomination from Karhal and congratulations in advance for his victory with a record margin. In 2022 you will head a successful SP government that creates records in terms of working for the welfare of the poor and the needy." Shivpal said.
