Mulayam pins high hopes on Purvanchal

Varanasi, Apr 30 (UNI) Claiming that his Samajwadi Party was ahead of opponents in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today said the vote from Purvanchal (East UP) will prove crucial in retaining his government.

Interacting with mediapersons after addressing an election rally in Varanasi (Cantonment) assembly segment here this evening, Mr Yadav said, ''the vote from Purvanchal during the last two phases -- May 3 and 8 -- will be crucial for forming the next government in Lucknow. I am confident that East UP voters will not let my party down and help me win Lucknow again.'' About the exit polls showing a bad performance for the SP, Mr Yadav said taht whenever such media surveys had written him off, his party had bounced back to power with a majority.

Earlier, addressing the election meeting, he said owing to efforts of his government, the state treasury was replete with Rs 25,000 crore.

He also termed the BSP a party without agenda, the Congress as a spent force in UP and the BJP a divisive force.

UNI