Lucknow, Oct 31 (IANS): Senior Uttar Pradesh Minister Rajendra Chowdhary, a close confidant of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, has likened him to historical Afghan leader Sher Shah Suri, according to media reports on Monday.

The Minister, who for the last four years has been found next to Akhilesh at all public events, said that if Sher Shah Suri was the architect of the Grand Trunk Road, Akhilesh would always be remembered for the Agra-Lucknow Expressway.

"By ensuring completion of the 302-km-long Expressway in record 22 months, Akhilesh Yadav has scripted a new chapter of development in the history of the state," the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a 'Diwali Milan Samaroh' in Saifai (Etawah), said the reports appearing in a section of the press.

He added that the road would usher in yet unseen economic development and prosperity in the state.

Chowdhary is the Political Pensions Minister and is always seen alongside Akhilesh. He was also the official spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party, but was unceremoniously removed after Shivpal Singh Yadav took over as the party's state chief.

Chowdhary also said that the Chief Minister is not only concerned about the future of farmers but is equally caring towards the youth.

Taking a dig at the statement of the Minister, BJP's state General Secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said rather than giving names to the Chief Minister, Chowdhary should try to first settle issues within the warring Yadav clan.

"Rajendra Chowdhary is trying to paint a rosy picture of the state and trying to portray Akhilesh as a harbinger of development. If so is the case, why does he not try to convince the Yadav family members on this, rather than trying to hoodwink people," the senior BJP leader told IANS.