Akhilesh to seek election to legislative council

Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister-designate Akhilesh Yadav has said he will seek an election to the state's Legislative Council instead of contesting an Assembly by-poll.

With this, he will be following the footsteps of his predecessor and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, who had opted for the Council after becoming the chief minister in 2007.

Akhilesh made this announcement on Tuesday after returning from New Delhi.

"I will become member of Vidhan Parishad. Some members of Legislative Assembly have offered resignation for me so that I can contest Assembly by-polls. But it will not be fair as people of their areas who voted for them have expectations," he said.

Currently a member of the Lok Sabha from Kannauj constituency, the SP leader will be required to become member of either Vidhan Parishad or Vidhan Sabha within six months of being sworn in as the chief minister.

Meanwhile, the SP leader also took a dig at Mayawati's claim of cornering his party in the Rajya Sabha, saying that it would have been better if Mayawati had stayed in Vidhan Parishad.

"Who will she corner in Rajya Sabha... prime minister?" he asked. On inviting Congress president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his swearing in ceremony, Akhilesh said it was a tradition to invite leaders of all political parties.

Akhilesh, who will be the 33rd chief minister of the state, will be taking oath on Thursday as the youngest person to hold the top post.