New Delhi

April 5, 2004

Mulayam Singh Yadav is a prime minister material. He would wait and watch the politcal developments and the number of seats Samajwadi Party gets in the elections.

This was the view of his son Akilesh Yadav who talked to this correspondent in an exclusive interview.

Unlike the average politician, Akhilesh gets poetic about his constituency. "In the last four years I have learnt Kannauj is the land of perfume. Ittar or perfume is made here and he sees a business potential here too. He also talks about the famed potatoes in Lohia land. Ram Manohar Lohia, the
socialist's reigning deity won from here...Akhilesh likes to point out that his first win too was in a by-election. With his father ruling UP, it should not be difficult for Akhilesh to get elected again. Won last time against BSP's Dumpy Ahmad by almost 80,000 votes.

Pet projects: Irrigation in Kannauj. Schools have been a priority with the young MP, especially helping with computers. He has also been trying to connect all villages left out by road. Then there are two important bridges that he has now been able to put up with the blessings of his chief minister Dad.

Akilesh is confident that the election furore would pick up rapidly, and Samajwadi Party is certain to emerge as the number one party in Uttar Party. Also Akilesh Yadav forecast is very simple. It is Samajwadi Party which is to be the single larges party after BJP, Congress.

The newly-married, just out of college Akhilesh was ready for the plunge. That was in early 2000. Since then the younger Yadav has been spotted energetically leading slogan-shouting protests in Parliament.

Has been keeping busy with: The youth agenda of the Samajwadi Party. He heads the youth wing of the Samajwadi Party and is proud to report that his party has the maximum number of young MLAs and that eight of the MPs the dissolved Parliament were under 35. The agenda includes mobilising support in colleges and cycling from village to village to spead the anti-Mayawati message. That is symbolic too - the SP election symbol is the bicycle.

Brief sketch about Akilesh Singh Yadav

Samajwadi Party Kannauj (UP) Akilesh Singh Yadav Date of birth: 1 July, 1973

Political Experience: First time MP and literally an heir. Father Mulayam Singh Yadav - whom Akhilesh refers to as "netaji" as does everyone around - contested and won two Lok Sabha seats in 1999. He opted out in Kannauj and asked his son to contest the by-election.

Marital status: Married Dimple in November 1999. Says "shaadi hote hi kismat khul gayi (got lucky as soon as I got married)."

Recent utterances: "I am not the SP heir. Nobody has really taken my hand and told me what to do. I am learning by going out there and interacting with people."

On younger people joining politicians: "I want to congratulate the youth of the country for coming forward, but they must also clearly decide and state what thought process they ascribe to."

"Whichever party they belong to, it's a welcome trend. These people have seen the pace of today's world and can keep up with it."

Education: Schooled at the Sainik School in Dhaulpur, Rajasthan. A BE in civil environment engineering from the Mysore University and then a Masters in environmental engineering from the University of Sydney, Australia.

Before politics dabbled in: Finished at Sydney in 1998 and was contemplating taking up water pollution projects when his father drafted him into a wedded life and then politics in quick succession.

Typically Akhilesh: Hard working, not easily angered, so don't go by the loud SP protests he often leads.

Likes to: Listen to music - isn't too particular as long as it's good. Could be ghazals one day, Hindi film music the next. Also likes to read.

The book he's reading: The Great Indian Dream by Arindam Choudhary

Likely to spout details on: Environmental issues are close to his heart - has personally planted over 10,000 plants in his constituency.

Most likely to be seen in: Kurta pyjama or sporty gear.

Drives: A Toyota Qualis. Likes on his plate: Vegetarian fare - especially South Indian grub.

Quotable quote: "It is difficult to impart the theory of socialism. A man has to be born a socialist."