Akhilesh to embark on ''Samajwadi Rath Yatra'' in UP in September

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will set out on a `Samajwadi Rath Yatra` across the state in September as part of his party`s re-election bid next year.

The `chariot ride`, which he will take in a special van, would allow Akhilesh to make mass contact with people in all parts of the state and highlight the achievements of the government, a Samajwadi Party (SP) strategist said on Friday.

Assembly elections are due in the state early next year.

The entire programme is being chalked out by a young team of party leaders that is coordinating with the chief minister`s secretariat for dates and other logistical support, including security.

A meeting of the party`s youth wing has been convened on July 13-14, which, other than taking stock of party`s preparedness for the polls at the booth level, will also decide the route of the `Samajwadi Rath Yatra`.

Akhilesh had also held a state-wide `rath yatra` ahead of 2012 assembly elections in which his party had won a clear majority, enabling him to become the youngest chief minister of the state.