By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will begin his Vikas Yatra atop Mercedes Bus on November 26 from Muslim-dominated district Rampur.
Samajwadi Party has finalised the programme of Akhilesh’s rath yatra which will be welcomed by senior minister Azam Khan in Rampur. The rath yatra will move from Moradabad where Akhilesh will land and take the road route to Azam’s stronghold Rampur.
During his visit to Rampur, Akhilesh will also dedicate several development projects in Rampur including a massive artificial lake, a flyover, an auditorium and beautified Gandhi Samadhi. Among this auditorium is named after Tagore and is inside Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. It was the same pandal which was used for celebrating Mulayam’s birthday in 2014. If reports are to be believed it is UP’s biggest auditorium. Azam’s adversaries also claim that the flyover will be more beneficial to him as it provides uninterrupted access to his university. Akhilesh will also open Bapu Mall which has several shops. It was in news when several Valmiki families had announced embracing Islam if their houses were demolished to make way for the Mall.
The rath yatra assumes significance as Azam was not present when it was first kickstarted on November 3 at Lucknow. That time, the bus broke down barely moving a kilometre. After putting it in order it was again used by Akhilesh in Unnao during the inauguration of Agra-Lucknow Expressway on November 21.
As per reports, Azam’s son Abdullah Azam is also now active in politics and will be seen playing an active role in rath yatra in Rampur. In 2014, Mulayam was given a grand welcome as he rode on a Victorian bagghi (horsecart). A similar welcome is being planned this time for Akhilesh.
The event is sure to get major attraction with Azam commanding the show. It is expected that Akhilesh will highlight various work done by his government for the welfare of Muslims ahead of assembly polls.