Lucknow: Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav, the latest entrant to politics from the Yadav clan, on Saturday defended charges of dynasty politics and said she had been doing social work and was qualified enough to contest elections.
Speaking at India TV’s Chunav Manch Conclave in Lucknow today, Aparna, SP candidate from Lucknow Cantt constituency in upcoming Assembly elections, said it is hard for women to make a mark in every profession and the society does see the hard work of women.
On a question if her background as Mulayam’s ‘chhoti bahu’ would help her to win elections, she said, “There is no advantage or disadvantage to me because of that. Any profession is tough for women and people do not see the hard work that a woman does.”
Aparna, who is married to Mulayam’s younger son Prateek, said she did not seek a ticket to contest elections and was pursuaded by Netaji to enter politics when she was doing social work.
Also part of the discussion was Aditi Singh, the daughter of Raebareli MLA ‘baahubali’ Akhilesh Singh, who is contesting from her father’s seat in the Assembly election.
Defending the charge of dynasty politics, she said it is the responsibility of children to take forward the work of their parents.
“We have seen our parents doing work in the region, they have worked hard and we have learnt all that and it is our responsibility to take forward the work of our parents,” Aditi said.
She said that a person would only get a chance to contest election because of family but it is up to people who elect the candidate.
She also defended the ‘baahubali’ tag of her father and said this has only been “stuck” by media and he has done a lot of work for people who elected him as MLA five times.
MP Manoj Tiwari, representing Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), conceded that, to an extent, there is dynasty politics in every party.
When questioned on the tickets given to family members of senior BJP leaders, Tiwari said he rose to ranks in party through hard work despite his humble background.
“Whenever the issue of ticket distribution is raised, I say that everyone must prove themselves when given a chance,” he said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s son Pankaj Singh and MP Hukum Singh’s daughter Mriganka Singh daughter are among several members of senior BJP leaders who have been given ticket by party to contest UP Assembly election.
