Among BJP core voters,young Akhilesh sails smooth

While Bansal kept saying that the SP had given the greatest respect to traders,Akhilesh refrained from making any specific promises to traders. He kept on criticising the BSP government for constructing parks and accused it of wasting public money.

Rajesh Agarwal,a grocery shop owner,had come to listen to Akhilesh. In his thirties,Agarwal said he was disappointed by the BJP and plans to vote for SP candidate Ravidas Mehrotra. He has his own reasons for doing so. “Once a drain outside my house was broken and the road was filled with mud. I tried to contact Gupta but he was not available. I have not seen him once since last Assembly polls,” said Agarwal.

Instead,Agarwal said,Mehrotra is easily accessible. “He has gone to jail over hundred times for taking part in people’s protests,” he said. Another reason,Agarwal puts forth,is the young leadership in the party. “I have read a lot about Akhilesh. He is a foreign educated and has new perspective.” His son has also decided to vote for SP as he will be getting a laptop on passing Class XII examination. When reminded about the lawlessness that prevailed in the previous SP governments,Agarwal before running towards Akhilesh to shake hands with him,said this will not happen this time because of Akhilesh.