Mulayam in poll mode, asks Akhilesh, other leaders to pull up socks

Lucknow: In a stern message to party workers, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday asked them to pull up their socks for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and stop "grabbing lands" or indulging in other such deeds.

"Will you (party workers) be able to form government again? Remove your flaws. There are many shortcomings. Will you be able to work on them? Will you stop grabbing lands? There are many places where land grabbing is on. If you have to earn money, do any other business. In politics you have to sacrifice things," he said without mincing words.

Yadav delivered the tough talk at a gathering of party workers on the occasion of 84th birth anniversary of SP leader late Jnaneshwar Mishra.

Referring to youth workers in the party, Mulayam said the new breed of party workers did not know the foundation of 'samajwad' (socialism).

"I have asked (chief minister) Akhilesh Yadav a number of times about training of youth workers but no heed was paid to it," he said, adding, "Politics is the most difficult work and training of youths is a must for that."

Akhilesh, who has been publicly chided by his father in the past too, was present on the occasion.

Mulayam said, "The elections are near. In Delhi, only this election is being discussed. The Opposition is not leaving any stone unturned to form the next government. Two parties are trying to orchestrate riots in the state."

He stressed the need for giving special emphasis on youths and farmers and said women should also be included in the party working.

"There are women chief ministers in four states and they are doing good work. You (Akhilesh) should also involve women in party and give them a chance," he said.

"The government should implement its manifesto and if there is any problem, it should tell him," he said.

Akhilesh also addressed the gathering and highlighted the works done by his government, claiming that promises made in 2012 SP manifesto have been met.