LUCKNOW, Jan 16: Hoping to repeat its success in recently held civic elections in Maharashtra, the Samajwadi Party today announced the first and second lists of its candidates for the state. Tushar Gandhi's decision to join Samajwadi Party has come as a bonus for SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav who took no time in announcing Tushar's candidature from Mumbai north-west seat.The seat presently held by leader of Shiv Sena Legislature Party in the Lok Sabha, Madhukar Sarpotdar, was earlier represented by Sunil Dutt. Tushar hailed Mulayam as ``real follower'' of Gandhian principles while accusing Congress of betraying such principles. ``I joined SP because only this party like the Mahatma was associated with grass-root people'' he said.Asked why didn't he join Congress, the party of his great grandfather, Tushar replied, ``Congress already has the family it needs'' with obvious reference to Sonia Gandhi.
