₹Priority is to form INDIA govt after June 4'

‘Priority is to form INDIA govt after June 4’ Mamata to skip INDIA bloc meet

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AFTER a hectic campaign across Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief. Akhilesh Yadav says his party's 'Pichhde, Dalit, Adivasi' formula is working on the ground. He tells Namita Bajpai he is confident of INDIA bloc's win. Excerpts:

After six phases of elections, how would you evaluate the prospects of INDIA bloc in UP?

We have seen bumper voting in favour of the SP and INDIA bloc in the sixth phase. People have given unprecedented support to us and it seems that the NDA will be left much behind. Initially, I had said that we are ahead in 79 seats and the fight is only on one constituency. But now I feel that we are ahead on all the 80 seats.

In Varanasi, one engine of the double-engine is missing from posters. So, the two engines are colliding with each other. On the other hand, the SP and Congress alliance has become one plus one eleven.

What are the main issues against the BJP?

The Agniveer scheme has frustrated the youth. Paper leak has also left them demoralised. Anger against rising unemployment is palpable on the ground. This government has done very little against perpetrators of paper leaks. The youth is disillusioned with the BJP. They get the message that the government is getting the papers leaked purposely as it does not want to give jobs.