Party supremo Mulayam tells PM Modi to adopt a "middle path" in dealing issues with Pakistan.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday described the 2017 Assembly polls as a stage to not just form government but also an “election for political change in the country.”

Embarking on his much-anticipated Vikas Rath Yatra from the State capital, he appealed to people to vote him back to power based on his development works and welfare schemes.

The yatra started off on an embarrassing note as Mr. Yadav’s hi-tech rath (a red Mercedes bus customised for his needs and decorated with images of his flagship schemes) broke down at the city’s Lohia Path due to a technical snag, barely a kilometre after moving, forcing him to switch to his official vehicle to continue his journey.

In the backdrop of the ongoing family feud in the Samajwadi Party, its supreme leader Mulayam Singh Yadav managed to put up a show of unity as he flagged off Akhilesh’s rath yatra from the La Martiniere grounds in the presence of all top party leaders, including his son’s bête noire Shivpal Yadav. However, the frostiness between Akhilesh and Shivpal, seated on either side of Mulayam, was palpable as the two did not even share formal greetings on stage and avoided eye contact.

Interestingly, some of the leaders in the Akhilesh camp expelled recently by Shivpal were present on the dais, while others were instrumental in organising the yatra. Shivpal Yadav, however, followed protocol of truce in his speech as he congratulated his nephew and wished him all the best for the yatra, even as he said it was the SP’s resolve to stop the BJP from coming to power at any cost. In his short address, Shivpal also said Akhilesh’s yatra would be a “message” about the “historic works” done by the CM.

Though Akhilesh Yadav did not name anybody, he took an apparent dig at Mulayam-aide Amar Singh for the family feud and delay in his campaign. “Due to some conspiracies we were a bit rattled, but even with the difficulties in the days to come we will be able to form government again. The youth is with us,” the CM said