Mulayam Singh Yadav's younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav, who is contesting the UP polls from Lucknow Cantt on a Samajwadi Party ticket, has acknowledged the rift in the family, and said that she is trying to be the bridge to sort out the differences.
In an interaction with a news channel, Aparna, who will take on heavyweight Rita Buahuguna Joshi of the BJP from the seat, was questioned on the infighting within the state’s first family.
Aparna said that ‘she is trying to be a bridge in the family’ and that she enjoys complete support of brother-in-law and CM Akhilesh and his wife Dimple as well.
“I am trying to be bridge in my family. Unless a daughter does that she is not complete. I have full support of Akhilesh and Bhabhi (Dimple). I discuss political issues with them,” she said.
Aparna also lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demonetisation drive, though she did admit that PM was a ‘good man’ who had been ill-advised on the move.
Aparna now feels that the decision to scrap high-value notes from the economy was a ‘disaster’ and he probably came under the influence of officials who ‘ill-advised him’ on the subject.
Aparna, wife of Prateek – Akhilesh’s step-brother, said that the common man suffered because of ‘his (PM Modi’s) decision’.
“Our economy has gone back because of his decision,” she said.
Yadav further said that she was happy doing social work, but it was at the behest of Mulayam that she decided to enter into active politics.
Defending charges that the SP was indulging in dynastic politics, she said, “If it’s natural for a doctor's son or daughter to be a doctor, engineer’s son or daughter to be engineer, then why question the politician?”
Yadav will take on BJP’s Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Lucknow Cantt constituency where polling is slated for February 19. The seat is predominantly a Brahmin stronghold. Out of 15 elections, a Brahmin candidate has prevailed 10 times here.
Prior to 2012, the BJP had won the seat for five consecutive times.
