<p>The cycle marathon flagged off by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in the state capital on Sunday was supposed to be a sporting event. But since it involved ‘cycle’, which is the election symbol of the ruling Samajwadi Party, it acquired political contours.<br /><br /></p>.<p>And like an astute politician, Akhilesh chose to use the occasion to heap praise on the cycle which he said was the ‘symbol of socialism’ as it did not differentiate between the rich and the poor.<br /><br />“Cycle is samajwadi. It removes inequality,” he said at the function before inaugurating the 10 kilometre-long marathon. Hundreds of people, including the young and old took part in the event.<br /><br />“Cycle is labour based carrier. One will have to paddle for cycling,” he said.<br />The chief minister reminded the participants that he had undertaken a ‘cycle yatra’ before the assembly elections in the state, implying perhaps that those, who used cycles, would also taste success like him. <br /><br />Akhilesh, who is also party’s state unit chief, had led SP to success in the recent assembly polls.<br /><br />The chief minister said he would ensure that cycle tracks were constructed in the state so that people could cycle on them without any difficulty.<br /><br />Not the first time<br /><br />This is not the first time, that the ruling party had tried to politicise a non-political event. <br />Barely a few days ago, the chief minister had launched a statewide free ambulance service named Samajwadi Swasthya Seva. <br /> <br />The scheme had utilised funds given to the government under National Rural Health Mission scheme.The opposition parties have slammed the government for gaining political mileage and for naming welfare schemes after ruling party’s name.</p>
<p>The cycle marathon flagged off by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in the state capital on Sunday was supposed to be a sporting event. But since it involved ‘cycle’, which is the election symbol of the ruling Samajwadi Party, it acquired political contours.<br /><br /></p>.<p>And like an astute politician, Akhilesh chose to use the occasion to heap praise on the cycle which he said was the ‘symbol of socialism’ as it did not differentiate between the rich and the poor.<br /><br />“Cycle is samajwadi. It removes inequality,” he said at the function before inaugurating the 10 kilometre-long marathon. Hundreds of people, including the young and old took part in the event.<br /><br />“Cycle is labour based carrier. One will have to paddle for cycling,” he said.<br />The chief minister reminded the participants that he had undertaken a ‘cycle yatra’ before the assembly elections in the state, implying perhaps that those, who used cycles, would also taste success like him. <br /><br />Akhilesh, who is also party’s state unit chief, had led SP to success in the recent assembly polls.<br /><br />The chief minister said he would ensure that cycle tracks were constructed in the state so that people could cycle on them without any difficulty.<br /><br />Not the first time<br /><br />This is not the first time, that the ruling party had tried to politicise a non-political event. <br />Barely a few days ago, the chief minister had launched a statewide free ambulance service named Samajwadi Swasthya Seva. <br /> <br />The scheme had utilised funds given to the government under National Rural Health Mission scheme.The opposition parties have slammed the government for gaining political mileage and for naming welfare schemes after ruling party’s name.</p>