Mainpuri, 12 November (IANS). Interest has increased in the by-election of Karhal assembly seat of Uttar Pradesh. In this election field, both the major parties SP and BJP are heating up the election atmosphere by bringing the members of Saifai family face to face. It can also be said that uncle and nephew are making this fight exciting by entering the same election field. This time, BJP has fielded Anujesh Yadav, son-in-law of Mulayam Singh’s brother Abhay Ram Yadav, while SP has fielded Tej Pratap Yadav, grandson of Mulayam Singh Yadav’s brother and son-in-law of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Presented are the main excerpts from the conversation with Anujesh Yadav.
Question: What are your main issues in Karhal by-election?
Answer: Our main issue is development. The double engine government has implemented many important schemes in Karhal. Farmers are getting help through Kisan Nidhi Samman Yojana and the poor are getting health services under Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Law and order has improved under Yogi ji’s rule, due to which sisters and daughters are feeling safe.
Question: What is the basis of your claim?
Answer: Our relation with Karhal is very old. Many people from our family have been MLAs here and I myself have contested elections from here before. This is not a new assembly for us; We have a deep and strong relationship from here for years.
Question: How do you view SP’s PDA model?
Answer: See, it has not become a PDA, but a kind of ‘Family Development Authority’. SP’s politics is based on familyism, and the people of Karhal understand this truth.
Question: What would you say on the poster war going on between SP and BJP?
Answer: There is a slogan of the Chief Minister which fits perfectly. No matter how many posters SP releases, but for us the work of development is the biggest poster.
Question: SP is calling it its traditional seat. What is your opinion on this?
Answer: Look, we too have an old heritage here. Our family’s contribution to politics dates back to 1952. In this respect, this seat can also be considered our traditional seat.
Question: Did any relative stop you from contesting elections?
Answer: No, we have an experienced political family and we have everyone’s support. I am not naive to think about this.
Question: Why did you leave SP and join BJP?
Answer: A former MLA in SP used abusive language against my wife and me, which was unbearable for me. Respectable politics was not possible in such an environment, that is why I left SP.
Question: Is Shivpal Yadav advising you not to contest elections?
Answer: He had earlier contested against his own nephew, so why should I follow his advice? I am here to serve the public. I will not succumb to any pressure or horse trading.
Question: Who will have the upper hand in this fight between uncle and nephew?
Answer: Public support is with us. Only uncle will remain heavy. BJP will get the blessings of the people and we will win with a big margin.
Question: SP alleges that BJP could not find any other candidate, hence you were fielded. What is your opinion on this?
Answer: This allegation is false. I have been active in Bharatiya Janata Party since 2017. The central and state leadership have expressed confidence in me and on the basis of this confidence, I have been made a candidate.
It is noteworthy that Karhal assembly of Mainpuri is considered the traditional seat of SP. In 2022, Akhilesh Yadav defeated BJP candidate Union Minister SP Singh Baghel from here. Now both SP and BJP are trying their best to win this seat by fielding relatives of Saifai family.
–IANS
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