Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday met loyalist party MLAs in Lucknow and collected signed affidavits declaring him the president of Samajwadi Party.
Out of the 209 MLAs, 206 MLAs and 55 MLCs flocked to Akhilesh’s official residence at 5, Kalidas Marg, and submitted their signed affidavits to him, India TV reported.
The affidavits, according to multiple media reports, will be presented to the Election Commission to claim the ‘cycle’ election symbol.
11 MLAs and 1 MLC will also join in Akhilesh’s camp.
Akhilesh is also arranging signature of 5,500 participants of the National Executive meet held on Jan 1 that declared AKhilesh as the party’s national president.
SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, accompanied by Shivpal Yadav, too has left for Delhi to furnish details of support to the EC for retaining the ‘cycle’ symbol.
The Election Commission has asked the two warring factions of Samajwadi Party to show strength of MLAs, MPs and MLCs supporting them through signed affidavits.
