Uttar Pradesh election 2022: Karhal polls to mark BJP's historic defeat, says Akhilesh Yadav

LOCKNOW: Ruling BJP's sun will set in the west and elections in Karhal will mark its historic defeat, said Samajwadi Party chief Akhikesh Yadav at his first interaction with voters of his Karhal assembly constituency on Sunday.
Akhilesh also reminded the electorate that he has to campaign for the party all over the state and might not be able to focus on Karhal and sought the crowd's commitment to ensure a historic win for the SP from his constituency.The crowd responded in the affirmative and in unison. Striking an emotional chord in between his address, Akhilesh recalled how Netaji (Mulayam) had been associated with Dangal (wrestling) matches in the area and with Karhal Inter College.
"The BJP's sun will set in the west. The day polling will be held in Karhal, BJP will register a historic defeat," Akhilesh said, adding "Agar Pradesh mein BJP sabse jyada vote se hare to Karhal se hare (BJP should be defeated in Karhal by the biggest margin in state)." The crowd cheered with thumbs up.
Targeting the BJP, Akhilesh cited a biscuit brand and how its packet has got smaller as prices of essential commodities have risen. He said the BJP has also done the same by reducing the total quantity of fertilizers in a bag while keeping its price static.
Accusing the ruling BJP of copying the SP, he said when the party promised free power for irrigation, the BJP said they will allow 50 per cent rebate on power for irrigation. "It means they could have done it in the last five years but didn't. They should also promise to refund this 50 per cent extra that they have charged from the farmers all these years.
Akhilesh said the BJP has even copied SP in distributing smartphones.
He accused the BJP leaders of trying to take the campaign in 'another direction' before the elections begin and cautioned the electorate to be alert to any such designs.
"Karhal constituency is a part of Netaji's domain ... Netaji ka kushti aur dangal ke zamane ka rishta hai (Netaji has been associated with karhal since the days of his fondness for wrestling matches)", he said. The SP chief then recalled how the family for Subhash Yadav stepped aside to vacate the MLA seat to send Mulayam Singh Yadav to the assembly from this seat. He also appealed to SP voters to reach out to all those in the constituency who have a difference of opinion about the party and convince them to vote for bicycle (SP's election symbol).
He said he chose to contest from here because he wanted to face elections before the chief minister does.