Uttar Pradesh bypoll: People have defeated communal forces, says Akhilesh Yadav

LUCKNOW: Buoyed by SP's performance in the by-elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said people of the state have shown the door to divisive and communal forces.

"People of the state have given a befitting reply to the communal forces and have expressed intention that they need harmony and brotherhood," he told reporters here.

The Chief Minister thanked people of the state for "failing" the communal powers. "Communal forces tried to gain mileage by spreading hatred, but the people by their power of vote defeated them," he added.

Akhilesh said the SP Government in the state only concentrates on development works and has been working in this direction from day one and after by-polls it would continue to work more responsibly.

"We want to thank the people that at such a time, they have supported the Samajwadis and the direction in which the SP wants to take the state," Akhilesh said.

Senior cabinet minister Shivpal said that the people have voted against communal forces and for development.

"In Lok Sabha elections communal forces lured the people, but now they are aware with the facts," he said.

SP has won the Thakurdwara Assembly seat and was leading in eight others, while the BJP was ahead in two seats in Uttar Pradesh where bypolls were held for 11 Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat.