UP Assembly elections: Akhilesh Yadav much better CM candidate than me, would be happy to step aside for him, says Sheila Dikshit

Congress' chief ministerial candidate for UP Sheila Dikshit said on Wednesday that Akhilesh Yadav was a "much better CM candidate" than her.

Delhi: In a statement which could have far-reaching meaning, Congress' chief ministerial candidate for Uttar Pradesh Sheila Dikshit said on Wednesday that Akhilesh Yadav was a "much better CM candidate" than her.

In an interview to NDTV the 78-year-old added that she would "be happy" to step aside for Akhilesh.

Her statement comes in the wake of speculation regarding an alliance between him and the Congress.

However, the former Delhi CM added that she had so far not been consulted about a possible collaboration.

Meanwhile, Assembly elections in UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will be held between February 4 and March 8.

While polling will be spread over seven phases in Uttar Pradesh, it will be a one-day affair in Uttarakhand, Punjab and Goa, and a two-day exercise in Manipur.

Counting of votes will be taken up together in all the states on March 11, the Election Commission announced today setting in process the mega political exercise in the new year.

The family feud in ruling Samajwadi Party have injected a new dimension in the politics in UP where BJP hopes to capture power after 14 years on the back of a sweep in Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

BSP and Congress, the other main challengers, hope to make it a quadrangular fight but for some alliances being made.

On the other hand, amid intense power tussle, Akhilesh had yesterday met his father Mulayam Singh Yadav at his residence.

Though there was no official word from either faction on the meeting, there were speculation about patch-up effort.

However, some senior party leaders close to Akhilesh denied any such thing, saying it was "too late", as per PTI.

The father and son were together for over two hours. Shivpal Yadav, Mulayam's brother who is at loggerheads with Akhilesh, also joined them after coming back from Delhi.

Both Mulayam and Akhilesh factions of SP have staked claim over the party and its cycle symbol before Election Commission. 

(With PTI inputs)