Bapu's ideology in capitalist era a challenge but necessity: Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow, Oct 2: Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his 145th birth anniversary, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said carrying forward Bapu's ideology in this capitalist era is a challenge but it needs to be overcome to strengthen the country.

"This is the age of technical change, capitalism and marketing... amidst this it is a big challenge to carry forward Gandhiji's ideology," he said while addressing a function at Gandhi Ashram.

"We will take forward what had been started by Gandhiji. We will have to see that villages and someone at the last rung on the ladder of society is not weakened. This country would be strengthened only when all disparities are overcome... country and society would be strengthened by treading on the path shown by Gandhiji", he said.

Referring to political opponents, he said, "Today there are powers which are posing strange questions... although people have given them a reply but still they are at work in certain areas.

"There are also people who would follow Gandhi's path for reaping benefits but for them all we would say is 'Eeshwar Allah tero naam, sabko sanmati de bhagwan'", Yadav said, quoting Gandhi's favorite devotional song.

The Chief Minister also remarked that India is the most emotional democracy and it would have to be seen how morals are kept intact in these changing times. He also called Bapu the most respected leader in the world and hailed his ideology as "the best one".

Yadav also assured of allocating a proper budget for Gandhi ashrams and other organisations associated with it.

"The livelihood of lakhs of people are dependent on Gandhi ashrams and we assure that in the coming days arrangements would be made in the budget so that they would not have to seek help from anywhere," he announced.

PTI