Samajwadi Party staring at split as party feud intensifies

Lucknow, A convention of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s supporters on Sunday elected him as the Samajwadi Party’s new chief in place of party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav.

After showing Ram Gopal the door, Mulayam also expelled SP national vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda for attending “unconstitutional” national convention and accused him of indulging in anti-party activities.

Most of the workers who attended the convention, including Family Welfare Minister Ravidas Mehrotra, also said Akhilesh’s appointment as SP chief had Mulayam’s tacit approval and his opposition was only a show.

– Samajwadi Party to move Election Commission on Monday to stake claim to fight on party symbol in UP as Akhilesh Yadav is made party’s national president.

After having been expelled, Ramgopal, considered to be Akhilesh’s guide, had called the national convention. But Akhilesh politely refused to address officials and left the hall. Here too, Akhilesh Yadav seems to have the support of the majority of party MPs with only Tej Pratap Yadav supporting MSY. “However, if people are conspiring against Netaji or the party, it is my duty to act against them”, he said. In a harbinger of things to come, Shivpal’s name was found to have been removed from the Samajwadi Party’s website.

He said the feud in SP was being “celebrated” by its political rivals, especially BJP. The convention authorises Akhilesh to constitute a national executive, parliamentary board and various state units, as required.

Shivpal did not answer questions of reporters waiting outside Mulayam’s residence.

Both are Rajya Sabha members and had taken part in the “emergency national convention” in Lucknow on Sunday.

Amar Singh apart, Shivpal could also be in the line of fire of Akhilesh supporters. All of them shared the stage with Akhilesh Yadav. Candidates recommended by Shivpal Yadav were favoured, including some with criminal backgrounds who were fiercely opposed by the chief minister.

However, after a message from Akhilesh and an appeal from Patel, the supporters calmed down. Later, Akhilesh tweets: “Sometimes to protect the ones you love you must make the right decision”.

Lalu said after Akhilesh’s return to the SP: “I am really happy”.

In the afternoon, slogan-shouting supporters of both factions nearly came to blows while trying to take control of the party office in Lucknow.