Mamata Banerjee says Akhilesh Yadav deserves 'cycle' symbol

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday congratulated her Uttar Pradesh counterpart Akhilesh Yadav, saying he "deserved" the Samajwadi Party`s cycle symbol.

"Congratulations @yadavakhilesh for getting SP symbol. You deserve it," the Trinamool Congress supremo tweeted.

The Election Commission on Monday recognized the faction led by Akhilesh Yadav as the Samajwadi Party and allotted it the `cycle` symbol, dealing a huge blow to his father and SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The decision, less than a month before the staggered Uttar Pradesh assembly election starts on February 11, was first announced by Akhilesh confidante Ram Gopal Yadav.