Signalling a rapprochement, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said he will extend all support to his uncle Shivpal, with whom he was locked in a bitter turf war that spilled out into the open following Shivpal’s appointment as Samajwadi Party’s state unit president.
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On Saturday, Akhilesh gave back the portfolios held by his uncle Shivpal Yadav and continued as the Samajwadi Party state unit chief.
Alleging that the SP government has failed on all fronts, Ms Mayawati said, “Now Shivpal has been made a sacrificial goat by brother Mulayam to establish Akhilesh’s supremacy in the party before Assembly polls”.
Praising Shivpal for his efforts in consolidating the support base of SP, Mulayam questioned Akhilesh’s contribution towards the political success of the party.
Shivpal’s wife Sarla also resigned from the post of District Cooperative Bank chairperson, Etawah.
Mulayam Singh had already announced the decisions at a meeting of party workers, hundreds of who massed outside Shivpal Yadav’s residence earlier in the day shouting slogans against the Chief Minister.
Akhilesh also said that “Politics is not a game for me, it is a serious business”. I had only one portfolio, so I said why only one. “We were ruined”, he said. “Netaji (Mulayam) asked us to shun such activities”, a youth leader said.
Shivpal said he continues as UP party chief and is preparing for electoral challenge ahead but was evasive whether he will go back to the government. Singh said he and Shivpal had worked very hard, slept in huts, went to jail, faced lathi-charges to bring the party up.
Akhilesh has restored the portfolios of medical education and minor irrigation to him. “He will talk to some others if he wants and will take decision by tomorrow”, Shivpal said on Friday, indicating a truce was on the anvil.
“I am ready to return party posts and even portfolios but I must have the power to distribute tickets because the forthcoming poll is after all a test for me and my party”, Akhilesh was quoted as saying by India TV. According to party insiders, Prajapati, who was sacked as Mines Minister, could be accommodated in the Cabinet but with a different portfolio.
When his supporters were agitating outside the party headquarters, Akhilesh had sent a message asking them to leave the street and gather at his official residence.
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During the protests, supporters of Akhilesh were also seen burning posters of Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh.
