Bihar CM Nitish congratulates Akhilesh

Patna, Mar 10 (ANI): Congratulating Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav for being chosen as the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday expressed the hope that the former would fulfill his promises and would do a great job.

"I congratulate him (Akhilesh Yadav). People showed confidence on him and I hope he would fulfill his promises," Kumar told media here.

"Chief Minister's role is challenging and I have faith that he would do a great job," he added.

Akhilesh Yadav, who holds masters degree in environmental engineering from Australia, was elected unanimously at a meeting of the SP legislature party in Lucknow in which senior leader Azam Khan proposed his name.

Yadav, 38, currently MP from Kannauj, has been credited for the party's election victory.

He has won three Lok Sabha elections since 2000.

Facing heat over incessant incidents of violence following the results of the polls, Akhilesh Yadav promised strict action against unruly supporters in Uttar Pradesh.

"We want to make it clear that the Samajwadi Party is completely committed to ensure prevalence of law and order and any shortcoming will not be tolerated in this regard. This is also the responsibility of the district officials to deal strictly with unsocial elements. Some elements frustrated by their outfit's defeat are trying to taint the image of the Samajwadi Party and hence undertake such illegal activities. We condemn such people and want the system of law and order to take its course," said Yadav.

Samajwadi Party won an absolute majority by winning 224 seats in the 403-member assembly. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was left far behind with 80 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 47 seats.

Congress won 28 seats. Congress ally RLD won 9 seats, the NCP one, while others have won 14 seats. (ANI)