Akhilesh Yadav postpones Samajwadi Vikas Rath Yatra

Quite naturally, the rarity of the occasion turned the row between uncle Shivpal Yadav and nephew Akhilesh Yadav into a high talking point in political circles. Had Akhilesh broken free of his father and uncle’s strangleholds, there could have been a much-needed disruption in Samajwadi Party’s exhausted politics of cynical manipulation. “The party having youths will form the next government”, he said and asked his supporters not to resign from any party or government post. “As far as taking away portfolios is concerned, it’s the Chief Minister’s prerogative”, Shivpal said.

“No one can go against the decision of Netaji“, Akhilesh said.

The veteran leader said in Lucknow on Friday that there can be no division in the party till he was there, a day after the dramatic resignation from the Cabinet and party posts by his brother Shivpal Yadav.

Meanwhile, social media enthusiast Aditya Yadav who is not only on the IFFCO Board but also on that of International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) has appealed to his followers to remain calm and not to harm one another.

Donning red caps and carrying posters of the Chief Minister and his wife Dimple Yadav, the supporters started for the party office this morning, raising slogans like “Akhilesh ko adyaksh banao” (make Akhilesh the state president), saying only “Akhilesh bhaiya could lead the party”.

“I want to congratulate the new state president (Shivpal Singh Yadav)”.

Not surprisingly, Akhilesh Yadav has failed to stamp his authority on his party, which seems even more unruly, faction-ridden and directionless than when he took over the reins of power four and a half years ago.

Speaking to the media amid his Kisan Yatra, Rahul said that Akhilesh was chosen by the electorate of the state and mostly the young people, as they had lot of hopes and expectations from him.

Akhilesh has restored the portfolios of medical education and minor irrigation to him.

The Yadav family has been embroiled in a bitter row since Monday, with Mulayam’s son Akhilesh locking horns with Mulayam’s brother Shivpal, and the SP supremo seeming to come down on Shivpal’s side.

There are speculation that present state general secretary Arvind Singh Gope might be replaced by Om Prakash, while party spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury will be removed and senior party leader Amibka Chowdhury will be given his charge.

Shivpal will also continue as the Samajwadi Party state unit chief. “In every situation, we are with Netaji“, Shivpal Yadav said, thus effectively ending the crisis. “We will form a government with a bigger majority in 2017”, he added. Not only would Shivpal Yadav get back his key portfolios, it was decided, but his supporter Gayatri Prajapati would also to be re-inducted in the cabinet.