Shivpal Yadav ‘Grooming’ Son in Answer to Mulayam-Akhilesh Duo?

Shivpal’s son was hardly seen in public with him but since tensions in SP came out, he’s constantly beside Shivpal.

Shivpal Yadav and his son Aditya Yadav arrive to meet party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in New Delhi, 14 September 2016. (Photo: IANS)

The high-octane feud in the Yadav family seems to have neutralised on Friday after statements from both Shivpal Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav’s side claim that all issues have been resolved.

Amidst the power struggle within Samajwadi Party (SP), Shivpal’s son Aditya Yadav appears to have come out front beside his father. Aditya, who is in his late 20s, has been chairman of the State Cooperative Federation since February 2013 but was hardly seen in public with Shivpal, the youngest brother of party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Since the situation erupted on Tuesday, Aditya was seen constantly beside Shivpal. Is this Shivpal’s way of grooming his son as an answer to his brother and nephew’s father-son duo?

Also Read: Hum Saath Saath Hain: Akhilesh Yadav Returns Portfolios to Shivpal

Shivpal quit the cabinet and his party post but both his resignations were rejected by Mulayam and Akhilesh on Friday.

Shivpal hailed Mulayam Singh as the ultimate power in the party, and said he would go by whatever ‘netaji‘ told.

‘Shivpal Showing Mulayam-Akhilesh He Too Has a Son to Stand By’

“Those camping outside Shivpal’s home were mostly young people. They are Aditya’s people,” said a senior politician from SP, according to The Telegraph.

Till recently, Shivpal used to say that Akhilesh was a son to him. But he was also grooming Aditya to support him in the event of a crisis.

A senior politician from SP, according to <i>The Telegraph</i>

He added that by keeping Aditya with him, Shivpal is trying to send a message to Mulayam and his son Akhilesh that he too has a son to stand by him.

When Shivpal stepped out of their ancestral home in Saifai on Tuesday, Aditya was seen standing behind him as he addressed his supporters in the village.

Aditya even accompanied him to Mulayam’s residence in Delhi on Wednesday where they held a long but indecisive meeting.

When, after his double resignation, Shivpal came out of his Lucknow home to address his agitated supporters, Aditya was behind him, making polite conversation with the crowd.

The recently married Aditya, who lost the Jaswantnagar zilla panchayat polls in 2010, is preparing to contest next year’s Assembly elections from Jaswantnagar, his father’s seat, reported The Telegraph. Shivpal is expected to shift to another seat.

Shivpal to Follow Whatever ‘Netaji’ Says

Shivpal said he would dutifully follow whatever decision Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav make.

If I get departments I will work on that, if I become party chief I will fulfill that responsibility. We have to work in a way so that SP wins 2017 polls and Akhilesh Yadav becomes CM again.

Shivpal Yadav

When Shivpal’s supporters were protesting outside the headquarters, he told them he would go by what Mulayam says and asked the workers to go to the party office, and calmly convey their views to ‘netaji‘ – a move that would perhaps put further pressure on the party chief.

(With inputs from The Telegraph.)