Akhilesh and I like 2 wheels of a cycle: Rahul Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh CM's first address post alliance

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed their first joint conference after an alliance between their parties for the high-stakes state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. The two leaders launched the campaign with the tagline "UP favours this alliance (UP ko ye saath pasand hai)." The press conference was followed by a road show in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow.

Here are the highlights from their address: 

Akhilesh Yadav and I don't just have a political relationship, but also a personal one. Our alliance will truly help Uttar Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi

The alliance has made the personal and political relationship between Akhilesh and me better: Rahul Gandhi

I had said Akhilesh is a good boy, but he wasn't allowed to work: Rahul Gandhi

Campaign strategy will not be divulged: Rahul Gandhi on whether mother Sonia, Akhilesh's father Mulayam Singh would campaign 

Priyanka (sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) has been of tremendous help to me and I have been so to her, if she campaigns or not is her choice; she is an asset to Congress: Rahul Gandhi

Whether we will form an alliance in Lok Sabha or not is open to discussion: Rahul Gandhi

This is people's alliance. Rahul Gandhi and I know each other. It is a matter of happiness that we will now also work together: Akhilesh Yadav

We are like two wheels of the same cycle - one of progress and one of prosperity. Cycle and hand is a great combination: Akhilesh Yadav

If we reveal anything now, no suspense will remain: Akhilesh on seat-sharing in constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi 

This alliance isn't opportunistic: Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh will vote for a new state assembly in a seven-phase election between February 11 and March 8. Out of the 403 assembly seats, Congress will contest 105 seats and the Samajwadi Party will field its candidates in the remaining 298 seats.

(WION)