Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED) President Afzal Ansari on Tuesday had slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, saying that by cancelling the merger of the outfit with Samajwadi Party he had shown disrespect to Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Singh Yadav. Assembly polls in UP are due next year.
Advertisement
He said he had read media reports that Shivpal while expressing concern over touts and musclemen calling the shots in the state, had threatened to resign.
Sources say that Shivpal has been annoyed over him being sidelined during certain decision making within the party. “If this situation continues, I will quit the ministry and work for the party”, he said. Addressing a rally in Manipur, the leader said that some leaders and party officers were not obeying his orders making it hard for him to function. Notably, delivering a tough talk at a gathering of party workers on the occasion of 84th birth anniversary of SP leader late Jnaneshwar Mishra in Lucknow earlier this month, the SP chief had made a similar statement. “An issue that is true is true”.
In June, the Chief Minister, 43, over-ruled Shivpal Yadav, a cabinet minister widely perceived as thrust upon him by his father, in refusing to allow the Samajwadi Party to annex a small regional party headed by a criminal as a partner for the election.
Shivpal has also alleged that in spite of his complaints over land grab, there has been no action by the state government.
On Sunday, at a function in Mainpuri, State Cabinet Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav said, “MLAs and MLCs involved in such activities will be expelled from SP…”
He had said, “Government staff at police stations and tehsils are not paying heed to public grievances. SP had to face defamation because of those involved in land-grabbing and illegal acts”.
“Samajwadi Party will never allow harassment of public, even if I have to resign for this”.
Advertisement
He also told party leaders he was aware of their wrong-doings and that they should bear in mind that the people who give power can also take it back in no time. “Those involved in harassment of the people have no connection with SP”, he said.
