How did Akhilesh Yadav, who returned from Sydney after doing engineering, become the youngest Chief Minister of UP? Know the whole story

Whenever there is talk of modern thinking and youth leadership in the politics of Uttar Pradesh, the name of Samajwadi Party National President Akhilesh Yadav comes at the top. Today, the journey of Akhilesh Yadav, who is counted among the most prominent faces of the country’s politics, to reach here has been very interesting. In fact, before joining politics, he was an engineering student who had no direct connection with politics. But fate was about to hand him the command of the country’s largest state. On the occasion of his birthday on July 1, let us try to understand how a quiet boy who studied environmental engineering in Australia became the youngest Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Actually, Akhilesh Yadav was born on 1 July 1973 in Saifai village of Etawah district. His father Mulayam Singh Yadav was one of the veteran socialist leaders of the country and was the Chief Minister of UP thrice. After spending his initial days under the shadow of his mother Malti Devi, Akhilesh was sent to Dholpur Sainik School in Rajasthan for studies. After this he took a civil engineering degree from Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore. This process of study did not stop here, he went to Australia for higher education and obtained a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the famous University of Sydney.

Return from Sydney and explosive entry into politics

When Akhilesh returned to India after completing his studies abroad, he had an opportunity to make a career. But he decided to carry forward his father’s legacy and follow the path of politics. The real beginning of his political journey was in the year 2000, when he won the by-election from Kannauj Lok Sabha seat. After reaching Parliament for the first time, Akhilesh did not look back. He was elected MP several times in a row and managed to create a distinct and new identity for himself in Delhi politics.

‘Kranti Rath’ changed the fortunes of SP

After 2010, Akhilesh Yadav took the responsibility of giving a new and modern direction to the Samajwadi Party. Moving away from traditional politics, he laid full emphasis on social media, modern technology and connecting the youth with the party’s organization. It is being told that at that time it was not easy to bring change within the party, but Akhilesh did not give up. In the year 2011, his ‘Kranti Rath Yatra’ created a stir in the politics of entire Uttar Pradesh. During this journey, he traveled thousands of kilometers and went from village to village and established direct communication with the people. The result of this ground hold was that Samajwadi Party got a huge majority in the 2012 assembly elections.

Politics of development and big challenges as Chief Minister

At the age of just 38, Akhilesh Yadav became the youngest Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. As soon as he assumed the chair of CM, he started work on many such development schemes which changed the face of the state. During his tenure, the Lucknow Metro project was started and the Agra-Lucknow Expressway was completed in record time. Moreover, schemes like Samajwadi Pension Scheme, expansion of 108 and 102 ambulance services, and distribution of free laptops to meritorious students made him extremely popular among the masses.

However, assuming power was like a crown of thorns. While being the Chief Minister, he had to face many big political and family challenges. Infighting and organizational differences within the party have been in the media headlines several times. Despite this, he did not let his image of a progressive and young leader get tarnished. Presently his wife Dimple Yadav is also active in politics and has been an MP. Even today, as a strong pillar of the opposition, Akhilesh Yadav remains one of the most influential and indispensable faces of Uttar Pradesh politics.