But Mulayam Singh’s comments notwithstanding, it was clear that the cracks within the Samajwadi Party remained intact.
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“Even Akhilesh has people closer to him, I have people closer to me, even Netaji has people closer to him”. There is no rift.
“We have a big family, differences may occur”. He added that his son would never defy him. “Akhilesh humaari baat taalega?”
The frontal unit of SP had given joint resignation in favor of Akhilesh Yadav, they are protesting against SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav decision to retain Shivpal Yadav as UP party president. Behind the scenes, his stepmother Sadhana Yadav, step-brother Prateek and his wife Aparna, all of whom have far more regular interactions with Mulayam Singh Yadav, have been conspiring against him.
His supporters, wearing Shivpal Yadav T-shirts, raised slogans declaring they are with him. Supporters of both Shivpal Yadav and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as well as sections of the media were quick to conclude that Mulayam has managed to fight the fire. “It” s election time and everyone should go to booth level and spread awareness on the good work done by the government”. The SP supremo directly went to the auditorium where the supporters of his son Akhilesh were shouting slogans, demanding that he be reinstated as the party’s state unit president.
He gave a short speech vouching his loyalty to “Netaji“, Mulayam Singh Yadav, the undisputed chief of the party.
Shivpal did try to obliquely register his dissent by propagating that he wanted Netaji (Mulayam) to yet again don the mantle of CM. His approval would ensure that the succession would be smooth, he seconded the proposal after which Akhilesh was sworn in as UP’s youngest chief minister. SP sources said Mulayam Singh Yadav has told his brother and son to immediately end their tussle for supremacy, which is threatening to derail the party months before crucial assembly elections in the state. “Neta ji (Mulayam) has heard all of us”. Gayatri Prajapat, who was sacked as mines minister, would also be re-inducted into the cabinet and would soon be taking oath. Anticipating Shivpal’s next move, Mulayam rushed to Lucknow from New Delhi on September 15 afternoon. Akhilesh has also hinted that “outsider” Amar Singh, who was recently brought back into the SP fold, is the cause of tensions in the family.
Addressing “unruly and indisciplined” youth wing workers and leaders who have been protesting against the family’s internal squabbles since Thursday night, Mulayam said Akhilesh – now the Uttar Pradesh chief minister – was offended by his uncle’s suggestion. Hours later, a furious Chief Minister took away key portfolios held by Shivpal Yadav, igniting an unprecedented crisis in the Samajwadi Party.
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On Friday, Shivpal first met Mulayam then Akhilesh. “I will work for the party”.
