No junior or senior, Congress and SP are equal partners, says UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav

This interview has been translated from the original Hindi, and lightly edited for length:

BySudhir Chaudhary

Sudhir Chaudhary: If youbelieve that "kaam bolta hai" ("your work speaks for itself")and you will form a government,what was the point of a coalition withCongress?This shows your weakness...

Akhilesh Yadav: Just to eradicateconfusion about whether Samajwadi Party (SP)will form a governmentor not, this coalition was done. And Ican say that both partiesin the coalition governmentwill win the election.If Icontested alone, I would have won 200-250 seats, but now thecoalition governmentwill win around 300 seats.

Sudhir: Whyare you being greedy for 300 seats?250 isenough for you. I askbecause, as Isaid, you and your party didn't havefaith in yourself towin elections...

Akhilesh: Idid this so that the confusion can be eradicated, and now nobody will have confusionin Uttar Pradesh (UP). Whether we will win or not, the way Uttar Pradesh experienced the first phase election now it is confirmed - SPand Congress will winthe elections.

Sudhir: Congress party today is just a small party,they won only 44 seats in Lok Sabha elections and they have just sevenper centvote share in UP, and you have given 105 seats to this party. This is an example that shows you are either confused or not sure about your victory.

Akhilesh: Politics is a big game, but if youwant good friendshipyou need to have heart. Iwould have bargained with Congress, but Itried. That friendship should be strong.

Sudhir: Who is more of a miser among you?

Akhilesh: Iwill not call this miser,we both got equal share.At leastwe established a strong bond.

Sudhir: But do you think Rahul and you can be good friends? Theonly one common thing youshare is that you both are in politics.

Akhilesh: Isay its a youth coalition, coming together as anew idea and new development in UP, at least Rahul thinksUPshould change its motto towards development.

Sudhir: So what do you think how Rahul Gandhi's opinion changed suddenly about you?

Akhilesh: Yes there was a motto against me, butthat motto can be changed. 27 years of social well-being, It happened in the past, Idon't want to consider that.And for long term friendships, we need to move ahead.

Sudhir: See this report...what Rahul said about you...

Akhilesh: These lines were said in absence of a coalition government, he (Rahul) said that Akhilesh failed, but now Ibelieve Iwill pass.

Sudhir: Who has a bigger role in coalition government during apress conference? Rahul's body language was as ifhe was your elder brother...do you agree?

Akhilesh: In politics there areno such terms like junior or senior. In coming press conferences there will be no such attitude betweenus. Both are equal and we need to consider them as a national party, since Independence many times they formed governments. We accept the fact.

Sudhir: So you were waiting for the moment when Congress wouldbe weakest, and you will adopt them.

Akhilesh: You never know when and what situation comes up, and sometimes situations lead to conclusions.So maybe Congress and Samajwadi Party wanted acoalition, so it happened in UP.

Sudhir: Aviral joke going around nowis: "Couples either comefrom heaven or form due to fear of Modi."

Akhilesh: Iwas listening to BJPcandidates and it seems they are more afraid. And Ithink if blood pressure due to fear...it's of BJP.My blood pressure is still normal. It's just phase-1 in Uttar Pradesh.Themajority of voters didn't voteyet, so we are not afraid of any party. This coalition is of youth and new development goals.

Sudhir: BJPthinksthat this duo is over-aged, they call it ''youth"but they are actually are over age.

Akhilesh: Ihave met several politicians who are 75-85.Still, they call themselves "youth". It hardly matters whatever is our age. But thosecommenting on this,at least we are younger thanthem.

Sudhir: Don't you think 105seats is alot and you wasted this amount of seats?If you hadcontested aloneor would have contested with someone else then maybe you could win in a better way.

Akhilesh: Now Idon't think this way...whether it's a loss or gain, but now will look forward, and will contest responsibly with all our party candidates.

Sudhir: There was a confusion between you and Rahul aboutwho will contest from Amethi, because Congress is the winning party from that constituency. Are you ready to compromise with him on this?

Akhilesh: Itried my best to give them seats from different constituencies from wherever they can win...still Samajwadi Party is contesting from those constituencies.

Sudhir: Like you have yourMLAPrajapati who is contesting from Amethi?

Akhilesh: Prajapati is contesting from Amethi.Rakesh, the second sitting MLA, is also contesting elections. In fact, we have Devendraji who is contesting from Rae Bareli.Manoj Pandey is also contesting. Ifeel that during coalition governments, someone or the other has to face the consequences.

Sudhir: Clearlyyou feel Congress will fail in key constituencies, so Samajwadi Party is contesting from those constituencies.

Akhilesh: They removed some candidates, we removed some candidates. The picture will be clearer soon.

Sudhir: How is your experience with Rahul Gandhi till now? Iwas looking through the picturesand videos and while you both were contesting there were electric wires you had to wade through during a rally....

Akhilesh: We came across wires and poles, but at least we were safe and sometimes youneed to follow the route your worker's decide...and it's good to visit such localities and it's a matter of experience for politicians.

Sudhir: What you think Rahul Gandhi willlearn from you in this election?

Akhilesh: Iwill not teach him anything, but as politicians, we moveahead assituations comeup, events take place, this makes a politician an experienced person.

Sudhir: Let's assume you win this election and everything goes well.So in 2019, will youagain contest again with Rahul?

Akhilesh: Not yet planned for 2019, but after winning this election situation will change.And what situation will be there in 2019, wewill see.

Sudhir: You are young.If youwin theelection for the second time and get amajority, you willestablish yourself as a youngnational leader,and many people assume that this election is important for 2019, and it is a possibility that your name will come up for the PMcandidature.

Akhilesh: Idon't dream very big, my dream is limited only to Uttar Pradesh.If people will give me a chance Iwill work.This led to Lucknow expressway,and want to extend it to Gazipur andBaliya. As soon as possible this work will get done. We will set market and industries near theexpressway, so that skill development for youth and employment can be achieved. Villages should get 24x7electricity, that's my big dream. Who will stay in Lucknow. I'll last longer than those who stay in Delhi....

Sudhir: It also means Rahul Gandhi should not feel insecure, and if the situation arrives, you will not create any trouble for him. You will stay happy here in Lucknow...

Akhilesh: Like Isaid Idon't dream big, at least Ibelieve whosoever stays away from Delhi, lasts longer and will always be happy...Iam not in a rush to move to Delhi.

Sudhir: But it's a dream for Congress.

Akhilesh: If Congress has a dream they need to take aresponsible decisionbecause it's a big dream to achieve.

Sudhir: Iasked this because onceNetaji (Mulayam Singh) almost reached there. But some people didn't let him become the PM, so it's a possibility that his son might become....

Akhilesh: Right now he is a politician, and Ibelieve after this election Netajiwill be proud, and right now my priority is that 20-25 days of election is left.Samajwadi should win with amajority, and after that what decision we should takewill be considered later...

Sudhir: Who is your competitor?

Akhilesh: Ican say that Samajwadi Party is heading, we are cyclists, we balance our handle and gowith a good speed. And we do not consider who is behind us...

Sudhir: Mulayam Singh never favoured you for this coalition, but still you did it...he might have felt bad.

Akhilesh: Itried to be underNetaji, and coalition was the need of the hour, that's why it happened,so that confusion persists.

Sudhir: Till now Mulayam Singh hasn't supported you on this...

Akhilesh: For whosoever he might contest they are part of Samajwadi Party only.

Sudhir: But he is only supporting Shiv Pal and not supporting anyone.

Akhilesh: We went to Jaswant Nagar, Bhartana, Lucknow, and Ifeel with whomsoever he went they all are Samajawadicandidates.He is also saying SPshould win. So thisis a blessing for the whole party.

Sudhir: What kind of coalition is this where Netaji is not active,Sonia Gandhi is not active, Priyanka is not active?It seems everything is totally upon your shoulders...

Akhilesh: See how much they trust usthat thisduo will change UPpolitics.

Sudhir: What have youdone till now regarding Netaji's support? Even if youwin the election without his support, what's the whole point of it?

Akhilesh: There is a lot of time in this...But nobody wantsNetaji tobe disappointed.

Sudhir: But he is...

Akhilesh: Ifeel he is supporting the party, and wherever he is going, he is in favour of the party

Sudhir: It's been a long time, still this question arises: when there was a disputegoing on in your family, many people usedto say it was planned. "Netaji wants to make his son an undisputed leader, and the Samajwadi symbol that is the cycle should go in your favour and that's why itwas done". I ask that youanswer honestly, was it planned?

Akhilesh: What was my situation nobody will know .. and if I talk about people's perception, family drama or planned, everything is wrong aspeople were angry.But the majority of the party is in my favour.

Sudhir: Though we belong tothat country where Shrawan Kumar was born,so for any son it is difficult to go against his father ...hardly matters whether it is for the party's sake. As ason, howdifficult was it for you to go against your father?

Akhilesh: Netaji and party members wanted theparty todo well and move ahead towards progress, and according to the situation atthat time, my decision was right. But it was for party's sake. Ifwe form a government, Netaji will be very happy.

Sudhir: Istill remember it was the night of December 31, an occasionpeople usually celebrate. For you, how was it?

Akhilesh: Ithink it's not a topic for discussion...maybe after elections we can discussit, because keeping everything aside we want support from people.We should get a chance...

Sudhir: Any person who would be in your situation, who is chief ministerand doesn't know whether he will continue or not, will do lots of planning. Maybe you areplanning for UP, but your wife might be busy deciding which packer and movershould be booked, where to shift next time.Have youplanned where youwill shift to after this?

Akhilesh: My party members know that Idon't have muchwith me. Even if the situation arises Idon't need any packer and mover to relocate. And Iknow people will support Samajwadi Party, and youwill see mehere again after March 11. Iam thinking what else Ishould bring hereafter March 11.

Sudhir: We build highways...you made us count your achievements, but what about law and order? And still,women are afraid to goout alone in UP.Maybe you deny the fact butUttar Pradesh is on top in crime, youfailed in that aspect...

Akhilesh: Anyoneaccusing me should at least bring reports or facts containing data about each state, not talk about incidents. They should also think and consider other states where incidents alsohappen.We have worked forlaw and order. For example, we have given 100 number service, theopposition doesn't havegoals for development. This is a sign of failure.

Sudhir: Can you swear that women are safe in UP?

Akhilesh: We are trying to improve the situation. The police should work effectively, this goal was given tous...

Sudhir: Jungle raj...complete lawlessness...rule of the gun are used for UPNCRBdata. At 12.7, UPis more notorious than Bihar.

Akhilesh: Iam saying you shouldconsider stats of different states.It should be per lakh (per 100,000).

Sudhir: Yadav title is dominating the UPservices.

Akhilesh: This isold news...report was sent to the governor regarding this. If yousay why mostly people dying are Yadavs?

Sudhir: On national perspective Uttar Pradesh lagsbehind many states including Rajasthan, Orissa, West Bengal and Jharkhand. In GDPUPalso lagsbehind.....

Akhilesh: Mostly awards are won by Uttar Pradesh, including ITsector, forest cover, Guinness Book of WorldRecord for tree plantation. Nutrition mission run by SP. We are No-1in sugarcane plantation and sugar manufacturing, top in potato production. We have made India's largest expressway...

Sudhir: But when rape happens on an expressway that's an issue...

Akhilesh: We have police check-pointsevery 30 kilometres on the expressway...you can take it onrecord

Sudhir: Why does the media loveyou so much...

Akhilesh: Idon't own a share, and Iguess youunderstand betterhow channels run...incidents in UPmake itto "breaking news", but in other states it does not...

Sudhir: What will youchange if youbecome CMagain?

Akhilesh: If SPforms thegovernment,UPwill be on top in every sector, and will create skill development centres, will create mandi's,we have allotted land to Baba Ramdev. Iwill support whoever willcome here in food processing...

Sudhir: Let's talk about your opposition. They say youwill not form thegovernment...

Akhilesh: They are very disappointed because in the first phase they didn't have major support of the people, and they know the truth and voters too know the truth. That's why they are accusing us. They should first talk about their work...

Sudhir: Do you think this election totally depends upon demonitisation?

Akhilesh: People vote in every election. During Lok Sabhaelections, people considered central goals. We got less seats because BJPgot BSPsupport, and also many young voters went with the BJP keeping in mind that government will makeprogress in many issues. Demonitisation was a desperatemove because people faced challenges.

Sudhir: Will demonitisationhelp?

Akhilesh: Peole should know and understand what corruption means. Money is not judged bycolour, it's just transactions which are black, and people who faced challenges will againstand in line and will vote against BJP.

Sudhir: What is brandAkhilesh? People say it's your golden period.

Akhilesh: I'm confident that if Samajwadi Party will experience agolden period, we will win.

Sudhir: What will be the effecton presidential election due to this election?

Akhilesh: UPis the largest state, the most populous state. Ithink we will have an important vote in the presidential elections.

Sudhir: Do youhave any candidate forpresidential elections?

Akhilesh: We will think after March 11...

Sudhir: How do you feel when your brother's picture gets published in newspapers, driving a fivecrore ($740,000) car.

Akhilesh: He is doing a business, and if he is earning well and buying a car, it hardly matters to us. It's not affecting the ethics of the SamajwadiParty. We are moving ahead now andgiving smartphones, 1.4lakhs (140,000) registrations have been done...

Sudhir: Rahul and you both havebeen called "Sultan" and "Tipu", respectively:Would you like to comment on it?

Akhilesh:Our duo will work together towards progress and will bring in new changeand both of us will stand together...

(WION)