Though its early days to judge Akhilesh wave that swept UP recently, the architect of Samajwadi Party's outstanding win, Akhilesh Yadav as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has a tough task on hand in tackling lawlessness and fulfilling promises made in his party manifesto.

His skill would be under test in dealing with the issue given the background of the militant image of SP workers, he has an uphill task of dispelling Samajwadi Party's image of being lax in tackling lawlessness. But within days of assuming office, Akhilesh Yadav has disappointed many people by giving the impression that these pressing concerns may be beyond his ability to deal with.

A disproportionately large number of ministers inducted into his government have long histories of crime, serious attacks on political opponents of the ruling party, and on dalits, have taken place.

If crime persists and “goonda raj” — which many thought characterised the SP’s previous tenure — returns, an environment hospitable to industry, social cohesiveness and political stability will prove elusive. We hope the CM can rise above the constraints imposed by the core social base that brought him to office.

Another uphill task for him would be in his dealings with the party seniors who may be upset at the sudden transition taking place in it. Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav initially relented the idea by putting Mulayam Singh’s candidature to head the UP government but Mulayam Singh was firm in putting Akhilesh on the driving seat hence trounce was made between them. Despite being aware of the power he wields in SP, Akhilesh always presented himself as a modest young man.

His challenges also include ways to fulfil his poll manifesto of providing tablets and laptops to high school and intermediate pass-outs, doling out unemployment allowance which would cause excessive burden on the state exchequer. Dispelling the common perception that the Samajwadi Party led by his father Mulayam Singh Yadav had an old school mindset, Akhilesh as the party's chief campaigner emerged as its modern face in the assembly elections.

Forging ahead against personal attacks from rivals, the civil environment engineer talked about development shedding SP's image of being anti-computers and anti-English. The architect of Samajwadi Party's outstanding win was also firm in denying election tickets to candidates with criminal antecedents.

Though to Akhilesh Yadav credit, he is growing in a mature mass leader with huge fan following amongst youth in the state. He is perceived to be the bridge between conventional ideology of samajwad and modern outlook in the party fold. Fortunately for him, he has tasted power in the past hence the present post will not make him berserk. Akhilesh remains a level headed young leader even after the coronation as Chief Minister of countries largest state. Now the serious business of governance will test the character of rising star of Indian politics.

Though its early days to judge Akhilesh wave that swept UP recently, the architect of Samajwadi Party's outstanding win, Akhilesh Yadav as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has a tough task on hand in tackling lawlessness and fulfilling promises made in his party manifesto.

His skill would be under test in dealing with the issue given the background of the militant image of SP workers, he has an uphill task of dispelling Samajwadi Party's image of being lax in tackling lawlessness. But within days of assuming office, Akhilesh Yadav has disappointed many people by giving the impression that these pressing concerns may be beyond his ability to deal with.

A disproportionately large number of ministers inducted into his government have long histories of crime, serious attacks on political opponents of the ruling party, and on dalits, have taken place.

If crime persists and “goonda raj” — which many thought characterised the SP’s previous tenure — returns, an environment hospitable to industry, social cohesiveness and political stability will prove elusive. We hope the CM can rise above the constraints imposed by the core social base that brought him to office.

Another uphill task for him would be in his dealings with the party seniors who may be upset at the sudden transition taking place in it. Azam Khan and Shivpal Yadav initially relented the idea by putting Mulayam Singh’s candidature to head the UP government but Mulayam Singh was firm in putting Akhilesh on the driving seat hence trounce was made between them. Despite being aware of the power he wields in SP, Akhilesh always presented himself as a modest young man.

His challenges also include ways to fulfil his poll manifesto of providing tablets and laptops to high school and intermediate pass-outs, doling out unemployment allowance which would cause excessive burden on the state exchequer. Dispelling the common perception that the Samajwadi Party led by his father Mulayam Singh Yadav had an old school mindset, Akhilesh as the party's chief campaigner emerged as its modern face in the assembly elections.

Forging ahead against personal attacks from rivals, the civil environment engineer talked about development shedding SP's image of being anti-computers and anti-English. The architect of Samajwadi Party's outstanding win was also firm in denying election tickets to candidates with criminal antecedents.

Though to Akhilesh Yadav credit, he is growing in a mature mass leader with huge fan following amongst youth in the state. He is perceived to be the bridge between conventional ideology of samajwad and modern outlook in the party fold. Fortunately for him, he has tasted power in the past hence the present post will not make him berserk. Akhilesh remains a level headed young leader even after the coronation as Chief Minister of countries largest state. Now the serious business of governance will test the character of rising star of Indian politics.