“I will extend all my support to Shivpalji”, Akhilesh told reporters here earlier in the day, indicating rapproachment with his uncle with whom he was engaged in a turf war.
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Donning red caps and carrying posters of the Chief Minister and his wife Dimple Yadav, the supporters started for the party office on Saturday morning, raising slogans like “Akhilesh ko adyaksh banao” (make Akhilesh the State President), saying only “Akhilesh bhaiya could lead the party”. What seems to be an attempt towards reconciliation, Gayatri Prasad Prajapti will be re-inducted in the UP cabinet.
“He has also flouted the oath of Chief Minister’s post that he has taken”, he said. “We were ruined”, Hindustan Times quoted Mulayam as saying.
However, Mulayam reportedly refused to accept the resignations, they said.
The development came hours after Akhilesh shunted out state chief secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal and replaced him with Rahul Bhatnagar. However, it is not confirmed yet if his resignation has been accepted. “So where is the feud anymore”, he said. “It’s election time and everyone should spread awareness on the good work done by the government”. “Look, I have resigned only recently”.
“The responsibility given to me is huge. I told him how to prepare for the elections”, he said.
Who is bothered about portfolios? “I won’t let this “tamash” go on!” he said.
Addressing workers here at the state headquarters after separate meetings with both the warring leaders, Mulayam also said for him the SP was not just a political entity but a family.
Ram Gopal Yadav is Mulayam Singh’s cousin brother and an ally of Akhilesh, who has been openly opposed to Shivpal since he took over as CM.
“Shivpal has been made SP state president by Mulayam to save son Akhilesh’s image after 2017 defeat, which is certain due to poor law and order situation in the state”.
The other bit of news that filtered out on Saturday-that while most of Shivpal’s portfolios will be restored, a few new added taking the total tally to 13, Akhilesh will retain the PWD ministry and not give it back to Shivpal-is part of the same face-saving show of fight-back. Akhilesh had come to me.
“I felt bad and you saw its effect”. “This is enough. I don’t want to reveal my pain to netaji”.
“We all have to strengthen Samajwadi Party”.
He took exception to Akhilesh Yadav’s assertion made earlier on Friday that the “role of outsiders would not be tolerated”.
Party sources said Akhilesh had agreed to allow Shivpal to remain president of the state unit only on the condition that he (Akhilesh) would be given a say in ticket distribution. “It will be my “pariskha” (test) in elections”. “We were ruined”, he said.
The crisis in Uttar Pradesh’s ruling party deepened on Friday with supporters of Shivpal and Akhilesh shouting slogans outside the Samajwadi Party office in Lucknow.
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“Anyone sitting on the chair of the Chief Minster should not develop an ego”. Akhilesh needs cooperation from all. He can never cause any harm to our family. He however cautioned that “Mulayam’s decision dare not be challenged in the party”. Trouble began after Mulayam Yadav appointed Shivpal Yadav as party chief replacing his son, Akhilesh.
