UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav may hire Democratic Party advisor advisor Gerald J Austin for 2017 UP polls

LUCKNOW: Democratic Party advisor Gerald J Austin, who has been leading the Democrats' campaign in US presidential polls since 1968, successfully propelling Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, met UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday and is learned to have discussed plan for the 2017 assembly elections in the state.

Sources in the chief minister's office told TOI that the ruling Samajwadi Party will most likely hire Austin. Sources also shared with TOI that Akhilesh is keen on hiring a global agency for the elections and a final decision would be taken by the party leadership.

Austin confirmed to TOI that he had a brief meeting with the CM on Saturday morning. Asked about his plans for UP, he said, "They (SP leaders) are aware of my track record of over 40 years and services to US presidents in their election campaigns."

Austin, who has been the chief campaign manager in US presidential polls, said: "I am 70 years old, so can't afford to camp in Lucknow, or anywhere in India, but if someone wants to train his political associates and supporters, here I am."

He said he had offered the chief minister to send his party functionaries for exposure to dynamics of elections at the international level.

In his first-ever meeting with Austin, the chief minister is learned to have briefed him about electioneering in India, particularly in northern states like UP where backwardness, illiteracy, poverty, casteism and religion are key factors governing mood of the voters.

The two had discussions about the election campaign though nothing has been finalised so far. Austin is one of America's most experienced and successful strategists and advisors, operating his marketing and political consulting firm.