Mulayam steps in to check power tussle in UP’s ruling Samajwadi party

He also said that “outsiders” were intervening in party decisions but did not take any names. We all are happy.

Prior to quitting from the state cabinet and the party posts, Shivpal had a 30 odd minutes meeting with Akhilesh but differences continued and he was left with no other option but to quit, said sources. On more than one occasion, Mulayam Singh Yadav has mixed up his role as the father and the party chief by choosing to reprimand the CM in public, all of which the CM has put up with a grin. “He could have been told that elections are coming and you continue as CM and the work of state president will be taken care of by him (Shivpal)”.

Mulayam continued to keep himself perched in Delhi and Shivpal joined him Wednesday afternoon.

Shivpal denied rumour of his stepping down from the post.

While there may have been a genuine discord between the uncle and his nephew, the show, however, was staged for two reasons. Akhilesh has been assiduously trying to build his image as a youth leader who is focussed on development: showcasing the imminent launch of the Lucknow metro, the extension of the Agra-Lucknow expressway, and beautification of the Gomti river front among others.

Akhilesh stood his ground to block the entry of DP Yadav to the SP before the 2012 assembly elections. Shivpal is said to represent all that is undesirable in the Samajwadi Party and can not be made the CM face for the coming elections.

It might be far-fetched to talk of a split at this stage but open factionalism which has virtually divided the SP into rival groups centered around various members of the Yadav clan spell future trouble for UP’s most flourishing family-run enterprise.

Addressing media persons, Yadav said: “Akhilesh’s removal led to misunderstanding, the matter will be resolved”. He will not let that happen at any cost while the prime actors in this latest bout of feud also know that without Netaji neither has any chance with the people of UP. Whatever decision Netaji takes is final.

Ram Gopal Yadav said everyone in the party and the cadre felt that Amar Singh had triggered the whole crisis for his own narrow and petty political gains. “Some people (read Amar Singh) have been taking undue advantage and those who kept abusing the party and even Netaji, now get him to do things that they want”, Ram Gopal told ETV.

However, he also went ahead to confirm that he is the CM. In what circumstances did he take this decision, we can’t raise a question mark over that.

The current crisis is a spillover from the time he was admitted into Samajwadi Party much against the wishes of a powerful section of the party, including the CM, Ramgopal Yadav and Azam Khan.

Close aides of the former PWD minister informed that Shivpal has returned all government perks and facilities, like official staff and vehicles, and will be vacating his official residence, 7, Kalidas Marg on Friday.