Hyderabad:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday expressed confidence that on the basis of his government's performance in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party would do well in the next Lok Sabha elections.
"Samajwadi Party is an ideology-based party. The party has a strong organisation structure. The party has done good work after coming to power. I feel the performance of the government will be the basis to show our strength in the next Lok Sabha elections," he told reporters here.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the national executive meeting of All India Yadav Mahasabha, where he was the chief guest.
Replying to a query, he said winning a substantial number of seats is necessary for any party to form the government.
"Whoever gets a big number (of seats), they will be able to form the government in the future elections. Without winning a good number of seats, nobody cannot do anything," he said.
The chief minister claimed that his government is taking tough measures to ensure that law and order is maintained in Uttar Pradesh.
"Some incidents have taken place. You know that the government is taking measures. We have to continuously take strong and tough steps to improve the law and order situation. The government has given directions to act tough against those who try to disturb law and order" he said.
Akhilesh said his government is taking efforts for speedy development of Lucknow by setting up hospitals, laying roads and that it would also try to get metro rail in the city.
To another query, he said the meeting of Yadav Mahasabha was not a political event, but an opportunity for him to meet people.
In his address to Yadav Mahasabha meeting, the UP chief minister said that Samajwadi Party used to be described as a party of the backward classes, but it tried to take all sections of society on board.
"Many parties said in elections that Samajwadi Party is backward classes party. But, we have united all. We got the support and cooperation of all. The support came as our party respected all sections. I feel, if we respect all, then many others would be ready (to) walk with us," he said.
"Our strength grows if we unite all. The thinking of Samajwadi says that we have to remove all differences and unite all. The education and progress of all should be taken care of. After we distributed laptops then all questions about us came to an end," he said.
Akhilesh said that he came to attend the convention to meet people cutting across political lines. Ministers, MPs, MLAs and other leaders from several states, belonging to different political parties, attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, some followers of a public representative allegedly forcibly stopped a spare vehicle which was following Akhilesh's car and broke its glass.
Police booked a case of 'wrongful restraint' (of a vehicle) and 'assault on a public servant' following the incident.
The men were apparently angry over their leader not being allowed to get inside the vehicles in the convoy when it left a hotel, police said.
