Akhilesh promises change in a week, Mulayam keeps up pressure

Facing criticism from his own father and Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday promised "visible change" within one week's time, both in the government and party organisation.

Speaking at a meeting of the state executive, Akhilesh said: "There will be significant change both in government and organisation within a week. It will be visible."

Mulayam Singh, party's national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, PWD Minister Shivpal Yadav and several other senior leaders attended the meeting, which was held at the party headquarters.

The issue cropped up after several members stated that officials in districts did not listen to SP workers' request. "They are still working with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) mindset. Our workers do not get importance at police stations or tehsils. It should be stopped," a member said.

On this, Mulayam said that officials should be aware of the government's priorities and party workers should get proper response. He targetted ministers and MLAs, stating that they were not attending to the organisation's demands and asked the chief minister to look into the issue. He also said that ministers in charge of districts should be aware of grounds realities.

The SP supreme also raised fingers at the functioning of the CM's secretariate. "This office at the fifth floor controls the whole state. A lot is still desired in improving its functioning. Its orders should have gravity," Mulayam remarked.

He also pointed out that the police department should be more alert. "It should be headed by such a DG who understands the whole state," he said. Mulayam also advised his younger brother Shivpal, who is also PWD minister, to take action on repairing of roads.

The Yadav chieftain also asked Akhilesh to improve the power situationin the state. "I understand that yesterday you have done some reshuffling. But you need to take concrete steps for improving the power situation before people take to roads," Mulayam said, while referring to the transfers in power department done by the state government on Wednesday.

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