Rahul failed to impress voters: Mohd Adeeb

With only three rounds of polling remaining for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Independent Rajya Sabha MP Mohd Adeeb appealed to Muslims to vote for Samajwadi Party (SP) in first place.

Addressing media at his New Delhi residence on Wednesday, he said, “After my Uttar Pradesh tour I reached to the conclusion that there is a wave in favour of Samajwadi Party and Mulayam Singh is in good position to form the government. Thus in the remaining two rounds Muslims should not split their votes and should vote for Samajwadi Party.”

Though Adeeb did not utter anything against Congress or its star campaigner Rahul Gandhi during his press meet, but in a press release issued by his office, the MP not only showered praise on Uttar Pradesh SP president Akhilesh Yadav but also goes on to say that Rahul Gandhi had made no impact on the voters.

“Despite Rahul Gandhi’s efforts Congress party is not getting the cooperation of people in the form of votes. Akhilesh Yadav has made his identity as a youth leader because of which SP is ahead in first four rounds,” the press statement said.

It is to be noted that Mohd Adeeb’s name for Rajya Sabha berth was proposed by Congress and was seconded by SP.

However, Adeeb failed to give satisfactory answer about why he is appealing voters to vote in favour of SP instead of Congress which proposed his candidature for Rajya Sabha.

When asked whether he is angry with Congress as the party didn't give ticket to his nephew, Adeeb replied that this is not the case and he had campaigned for many Congress candidates, including the son of Congress MP Jagdambika Pal.

“Congress party did ask me for names of Muslim candidates and my nephew’s name appeared in that list and he was not given ticket. But despite that I campaigned for at least ten Congress candidates including Jagdambika Pal’s son and Ram Naresh Yadav of Congress. My sole aim is that secular vote should remain united,” said the MP.

According to sources, Adeeb's open support to SP reflects his anger against the Congress for not obliging him on ticket distribution.

After Adeeb's change of colour, Mohd Adeeb is likely to be treated as a villain by the 10 Janpath for downplaying Rahul Gandhi and declaring Akhilesh Yadav as a youth leader.