Kanpur: Emphasizing the need for strong preparation for the state assembly elections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said he plans to strengthen the party’s booth-level presence to secure a win in 2027.After celebrating Holi at his native residence in Saifai on Wednesday, he said: “The better we prepare, the smoother the path to forming the govt in UP. We’ve got 403 seats to win in UP, and time’s running out.”“The party formed the govt after Holi in 2012, and in 2027 too, it will be around Holi when SP will emerge victorious in the assembly elections.. They (BJP) will be defeated with the strength of PDA. The slogan of PDA is bigger than every other slogan,” he said.Talking about the controversy surrounding Swami Avimukteshwaranand, he said, “Our revered Shankaracharya is aggrieved and distressed. We stand with him. Whoever is aggrieved and distressed, Samajwadis will stand with them. Shankaracharya was not allowed to bathe at the most revered place of Sanatan… Such cases were filed against him that are typically filed in panchayat elections.” Taking a dig at the chief minister’s Japan visit, he said, “First, an MoU of Rs 50 lakh crore was signed. Now, they came back after signing an MoU of Rs 1 lakh crore. He is the first CM who is going on tours before his farewell.”Taking a jibe at inflation, Yadav said, “Gold is beyond the reach of the common man. Silver price is also scaling new heights.”During the programme, Shivpal Yadav appealed to workers to remain disciplined. “Discipline is essential for the party. If someone goes among the public and abuses, then understand that person is not an SP man. Time is very short, we have to get to work right now for 2027. Whatever Akhilesh says, that has to be done. We have to rest only after making him the CM again,” he said.
