In SP list of in-charge for seats, six Akhilesh Yadav aides

Earlier, senior party leaders had blamed the youth leaders for under-performance during the elections leading to the rout. Their contention, however, has been set aside and Akhilesh has handpicked his trusted aides again for bypolls to 12 Assembly constituencies, which have been vacated after 11 BJP legislators and one of Apna Dal were elected to Lok Sabha.

In a letter to these newly appointed leaders, Akhilesh has mentioned that the SP had lost these Assembly seats in 2012 and in the changed scenario after Lok Sabha polls, winning them is most important. These leaders will also be responsible for reconstituting booth level committees and sector committees for the polls. It has been specifically mentioned that at least one influential person of every village should be included in the booth level committee.

The leaders will also maintain a direct contact with these committees. On his part, Akhilesh will interact directly with the committee members on a random basis.

The list of the in-charge include Sunil Singh Yadav, who is former national president of Chhaatra Sabha, for Lucknow East, Naimul Hasan, the former national president of Mulayam Singh Youth Brigade for Thakurdwara, Anand Bhadauria, the former national president of Lohia Vahini for Nighasan, Ramdular Rajbhar, a youth leader for Rohania, Mujahid Kidwai for Noida and Ram Vriksha Yadav for Sirathu.

On six remaining seats, old loyalists have been given the task. The list includes MLA Ghulam Mohammad who contested Lok Sabha election from Baghpat and lost, for Kairana, Rafique Ansari, who has been given ministerial status as advisor in prison department, for Bijnor, senior trader leader Gopal Aggrawal for Saharanpur, Rajya Sabha MP Vishambhar Prasad Nishad for Charkhari, Ramesh Prajapati (alongwith Nishad) for Hamirpur and Zoo Minister S P Yadav for Balha.