Akhilesh Yadav new Chief Minister of UP

LUCKNOW: Akhilesh Yadav, 38, will be the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He will also be the youngest ever to hold that position. Mr Yadav’s name was proposed by senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan at legislative party meeting now on in Lucknow. Ever since the election results were out, there has been speculation as to who would be the chief minister. A number of newly-elected MLAs want Akhilesh as the new CM, crediting him with the party’s change of fortunes with his spirited campaign before and during the elections. The SP got a majority in the 403-member Assembly by winning 224 seats. Party sources said that the senior leaders like Azam Khan and Akhilesh’s uncle, Shivpal Singh Yadav were in favour of Mulayam Singh as CM. They were of the view that Mulayam would be a better choice at this moment when there has been a sudden outbreak of violent incidents in the state, which it sees as a deliberate attempt to sully the party’s image. The situation requires handling by a seasoned leader rather that a greenhorn in administration, they feel. On the other hand leaders like Naresh Agarwal and Mulayam’s other brother Ramgopal Yadav have voiced their preference for Akhilesh. Keen to present a united face, the party top brass left the fi nal decision to Mulayam, who backed his son. As per reports, at a late night meeting yesterday, Mulayam was able to ensure that those opposed to Akhilesh see reason in the generational change being effectuated in the party. Moreover, Azam Khan has been offered the Speaker’s post, while Shivpal Singh Yadav may be given a big portfolio, reports said. Akhilesh Yadav, the young member of Parliament from Kannauj, has proved he had come of age in Uttar Pradesh’s rough and tumble politics, steering his party to a landslide victory in elections to the 403-seat state Assembly