Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav insisted that the ‘party and his family are united’ but remained evasive on whether his brother Shivpal Yadav will be reinstated in son Akhilesh Yadav’s cabinet.
Mulayam addressed a hurriedly organised press conference in Lucknow, flanked by party state unit chief Shivpal Yadav and three other sacked ministers, while chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was conspicuous by his absence. Mulayam also had a clear message for his son, saying the party had come into power in 2012 only because of him, hinting that he had done Akhilesh a favour by making him the chief minister. He however, ruled out becoming the chief minister with assembly elections barely few months away.
My entire life is devoted for the welfare of the people and he will continue to work for them.Mulayam Singh Yadav on his son, Akhilesh Yadav
Mulayam strongly defended party’s Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, who is being blamed by the Akhilesh faction for the rift in the family, asking ‘why drag him into all this...my family and party are united. All workers are united.’
"There is no 'matbhed' (difference) or 'manbhed' (ill feelings) among our leaders," Yadav said.
Asked whether Shivpal and other sacked ministers would then be reinstated in the Akhilesh cabinet, he said, "I leave this to the chief minister...you ask him why he made them ministers and why he sacked them."
Appearing cautious while replying to questions, Mulayam said, "I will not make any controversial statement. Whatever you may ask."
To a question whether he would take over the reins of the state from his son Akhilesh, the SP supremo said, "Why will I consider it now when Assembly elections are just few months away."
He said Model Code of Conduct will come into force in November or December and government will not be able to work freely.
On brother Ramgopal Yadav's statement, Mulayam said, "I do not give him any importance now."
About the party’s chief ministerial candidate for 2017, Mulayam said, ‘ours is a democratic party. First let us get majority and then elected representatives will select their CM.’
Earlier today, Shivpal Yadav said all was well in the party, a day after there was high drama at a key meeting of the party. He visited Mulayam's residence and was also joined by Akhilesh Yadav.
All is well in the party and the Mulayam family. I am with ‘netaji’ (Mulayam). We will abide by whatever directive is given by him.Shivpal Yadav on the family feud.
Shivpal was answering questions from media persons at the SP headquarters here which had witnessed high drama and ugly scenes with Shivpal calling his nephew Akhilesh a "liar" and even snatching the mike from him yesterday.
Tension was running high outside the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Lucknow, with followers of Shivpal and Akhilesh raising slogans in favour of their respective leaders. A large police contingent had to be deployed outside the party’s central office, to prevent possible clashes between the two factions. Cordons were set up this morning on the roads leading to Vikramaditya Marg where the party office is situated.
Though no official meeting is scheduled, informal talks were on since last night for a rapprochement between Shivpal and Akhilesh as their growing chasm has cast a shadow over the electoral prospects of the party ahead of the 2017 Assembly polls.
Proceedings reached a flash point when Akhilesh accused Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh, who recently returned to the party of having planted a story in a leading English daily in which Akhilesh was decribed as 'Aurangzeb' and Mulayam 'Shahjahan'.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
POPULAR