Akhilesh to revive Mulayam’s JP project

Mulayam and Akhilesh were at the Lohia Vichar Sammelan held at Lohia Park to commemorate the 102nd birth anniversary of socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on Friday.

“During my previous regime I had initiated the project in memory of great socialist Jai Prakash Narain; it was stopped midway. The state government should revive it,” said Mulayam.

This was the first public function attended by Mulayam and Akhilesh after assuming power on March 15.

The proposed centre will include a statue of JP Narain,two auditoriums,a library and an art gallery along with a parking lot and a cafeteria at a cost of Rs 17 crore,of which Rs 2 crore were released immediately in 2006. Later,the cost escalated to Rs 22 crore with the inclusion of a swimming pool and an indoor tennis court. The project was,however,shelved during the BSP regime.

Mulayam also said a memorial should be built in memory of Karpoori Thakur. “I had been to Karpooriji’s house in Bihar. It was just a thatched hut. I know the harsh realities he faced despite being a stalwart of the socialist movement. We should honour him and remember his teachings,” said Mulayam.

Mulayam categorically said he wanted only these two projects. “Don’t construct anything in the name of some unknown persons,” he said.

The SP chieftain also said that the state government should work honestly and do charismatic work so that general people can feel the difference within six months. “I did not become CM so that I can keep a tab on the state government from outside. We should also work for strengthening the party organisation which will act as a bridge between government and people,” said Mulayam.

He also advised ministers to remain clean in their work and governance.

CM Akhilesh Yadav looked at the paraphernalia at the function and hordes of policemen and government officials and remarked: “Some change is evident,look they have even put flowers on an acacia tree. Some more change will be evident soon.”

He also vowed that all his decisions will be based on the welfare of farmer and the poor.

“We have many challenges and aspirations of people to fulfill. I am a born socialist and secular person and will remain like this all my life,” he said.

The CM reiterated that his government will not install statue of any living person. “UP has lagged due to the previous BSP regime. It will take time but we will work together to put things on track,” he said.

At the persistence of journalist K Vikram Rao,Akhilesh also restored dharna sthal at its previous spot in front of Vidhan Sabha in Darul Shifa. “It was moved too far away,it will be brought back to its original place,” he said.

During the BSP regime,the dharna sthal was shifted to Shaheed Smarak and later to the banks of Gomti in Jhulelal Park.

Earlier,Mulayam also released two books on Lohia’s life written by K Vikram Rao and Girija Shukla.

The function was also addressed by Jail Minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya who mentioned that he read about Lohia during his stint in prison.