Faisal Fareed
Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Sep 19: The Samajwadi Party's (SP) scion Akhilesh Yadav on the inaugural day of his second phase of Kranti Rath Yatra on Monday vowed to expose every 'scandal and sandal' of Chief Minister (CM).

"We will create awareness among the masses about the sandal and every scandal of Chief Minister (CM) Mayawati. Our main mission is to oust this government in coming elections," said Akhilesh while interacting inside his modified Kranti Rathon Monday.

The second phase of the journey will be for six days covering the parliamentary constituency of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) stronghold Bundelkhand region.

Spelling his priorities, Akhilesh stated that he hopes to fare better in the Bundelkhad region. "We did better in Lok Sabha elections and had few MPs but in assembly elections our performance was not upto the mark. We will try to do better as people consider SP as an alternative for getting rid of BSP," he remarked. Akhilesh lamented that Bundelkhand region never got its due with BSP government only limiting itself in writing letters demanding special package while Congress restricting the amount of funds. "Bundelkhand regions has been fleeced by the BSP. Be it the MNREGA scam in Lalitpur or siphoning of funds in the name of forestation in Jhansi or collapsing of newly built bridge in Banda-every action speaks of corruption, we will expose the corrupt BSP regime," he said.

Akhilesh's convoy was stopped after every 200 metres as he emerged from hydraulic podium and waved to the crowd. However, the Kranti Rath also exposed the chinks in the armour of SP. Groups of SP leaders stood within a distance of 50 metres and each wanted that Akhilesh should meet them. When quizzed, Akhilesh accepted that it happens due to factionalism and over zealousness of workers. "Every worker wants to show his strength and these scattered meetings are due to it.

Factionalism was there but it has been overcome. We make direct contact with the workers while travelling. Some of the leaders are called inside and after a session of few minutes they leave satisfied," he said putting up a bold face. Underlining other benefits of Kranti Rath he stated that is is easier to connect people while
travelling by road and address them. "People also feel that their leader is with them. We are happy that SP took the lead in taking out the rath which other parties may soon follow," he said.

A group of snake charmers also assembled to greet the leader. On his way, Akhilesh was garlanded, presented a bow and arrow and a purse for the expenses by the workers. "These are also benefits of journey," he said showing the gifts.

At one such stop seeing a group of muslim supporters, Akhilesh lambasted the BSP and Congress for the poor plight of minorities. "We have been demanding reservation for muslims but Congres over ruled it. Now BSP is writing letter in the election year," he said.

As the Kranti Rath sped away, Akhilesh also fixed up a meeting with farmers in Raibareilly whose land has been acquired by Railway Coach Factory in Lalganj. "They have been paid peanuts. I will be meeting them and will raise their issue in the parliament," he said. The Kranti Rath after crossing Raibareilly will halt at Fatehpur on Monday night.