Yadav filed the nomination in the presence of party leaders, including Ram Gopal Yadav

Talking to reporters after filing his nomination, Akhilesh promised to ensure development in the city

"The people and party workers wanted me to contest from here as SP candidate. I hope I will get blessings of the people. When I came here for the first time after Netaji (his father and SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav) asked me to contest from here, top leaders, including Janeshwar Mishra, Amar Singh, Azam Khan, Netaji were there"

"This election here will end the negative politics of the BJP. The fragrance of Kannauj, which is the city's identity, will spread again," he said

"This election here will end the negative politics of the BJP. The fragrance of Kannauj, which is the city's identity, will spread again," he said

The SP chief said people do not like the BJP's "negative politics" or its style of working, adding that brotherhood and love will spread from Kannauj after his win

Asked about some BJP leaders' reported comments that the polls were a cricket match between India and Pakistan, Akhilesh said,"They will not be able to throw a ball nor be able to use the bat. We will hit six on all the six balls"