Jaya bats for Akhilesh, Abhishek: ‘Its difficult being son of big man’

Addressing a Uttar Pradesh government function organised to lay the foundation stone of three ambitious projects — IT City, an IIIT and a super speciality hospital —- at Chak Ganjaria (CG) city on Lucknow outskirts, Jaya sought support from both the bureaucracy and media to help Akhilesh perform better. “Akela bachcha kuch nahi kar sakta (The lone child cannot do anything),” she said.

In an apparent dig at the regional politics practised by some political parties in Maharashtra, Jaya said, “The state (UP) is condemned a lot where I stay. But, now I would ask them to come here and take training. You (Akhilesh) have given opportunity to youngsters. I would request everyone in your government to assist you in further progress of UP”.

Speaking on the occasion, Akhilesh admitted that “things have been delayed” but added that efforts taken in two-and-a-half years of SP government “would start showing results”. “Even these projects (IT City, the IIIT and the Medanta-Awadh super-speciality hospital) would be completed before next Assembly elections in the state,” he said.

While listing his government’s achievements, Akhilesh recalled that his father and former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had started the ‘Hi-tech City’ and now people are talking about ‘Smart Cities’. He said that he did not know the difference between the two.

Akhilesh’s wife and Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav, cardiologist and founder chairman of Medanta — The Medicity (Gurgaon) Dr Naresh Trehan and HCL founder Shiv Nadar were also present during the function. Mulayam could not make it.

Both, Trehan and Nadar, said that it was their dream to do something for Uttar Pradesh from where they had started their respective professional careers. While HCL began its operations from UP, Trehan said he had done his graduation from King George Medical University, Lucknow.

“It was my dream to ensure quality and cost affective medical services to people of Lucknow and UP. I would ensure that this project is completed as early as possible,” said Trehan as Akhilesh laid foundation stone of Medanta- Awadh hospital that would come up on around 12 acre of land.

The projects
IT City to be developed by HCL on about 100 acres of land in Chak Gangaria city. HCL plans to invest Rs 1,500 crore in two phases in the development of the IT City with the concept of walk to work. Medanta- Awadh 1,000-bed super speciality hospital to be developed on 12 acre of land by cardiologist Naresh Trehan. IIIT in an area of 50 acres at Chak Ganjaria to be jointly established by central and state governments.