Alliance with Congress will continue, says Akhilesh Yadav

"We are happy with the alliance we formed with the Congress because it allowed two young leaders to come together," he said.

Outgoing chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav spoke to the media after conceding defeat to the BJP in the assembly polls. While congratulating the people for a clear mandate, Akhilesh confirmed that the Samajwadi party-Congress alliance was here to stay.

"We are happy with the alliance we formed with the Congress because it allowed two young leaders to come together. This alliance will continue," he responded to a question on the future of the alliance.

While thanking the people who worked with the SP and those who supported and voted for it, Akhilesh also said that he hoped that the next government would do better than his government did. "I hope that the next government works better than us for the people. The people have voted for this government and I hope it delivers," he said.

A visibly disappointed Akhilesh rejected BJP's claims of its pro-poor projects helping it secure a majority. "Yes, LPG is reaching the houses of the poor but at what cost? People have forgotten that LPG now costs more. I have travelled to the nook and corner of the state and have seen how the demonetisation affected the poor. But people seem to have forgotten all that," Akhilesh said.

On Mayawati's allegations of EVM tampering

Careful not to make any controversial statements over allegations of rigging and tampering of EVMs in the assembly polls, Akhilesh put the onus on the government.

"I am not raising any questions but if another party has raised the question then it is for the government to consider it. I will look into it at my level" said Akhilesh.

OneIndia News