Yadav Feud: Not Concerned With Family Politics, Says Akhilesh
On Sunday, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav fired uncle Shivpal Yadav and three others from the party cabinet.
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- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav sacked Shivpal Yadav and three others from the Cabinet
- The decision was taken at the legislature meet convened by Akhilesh at 11 am on Sunday
- The legislature meeting excluded 75 MLAs and MLCs known to be close to Shivpal Yadav
- Shivpal later announced Ram Gopal Yadav’s expulsion from the party and General Secretary position for six years
- Akhilesh and Shivpal addressed party workers at a mega party meet
- Akhilesh said he won’t be forming a new party, whereas Shivpal alleged that Akhilesh told him he would break away
- Party supremo Mulayam Singh backed his brother Shivpal openly
- Second core group meeting called at Mulayam Singh’s residence
Speaking to CNN News 18, Akhilesh Yadav said that he is not concerned with family politics but is geared up for the state assembly elections.
Quoting sources, CNN News 18 reported that three campaign videos are being preparing solely feature Akhilesh.
He also blamed Amar Singh of misusing Mulayam’s trust.
Times Now quoted Akhilesh as saying:
Akhilesh Leaves Mulayam and Shivpal Out of Party Campaign
Akhilesh Yadav will be campaigning for the UP polls as the Samajwadi Party’s chief ministerial face in the ‘Samajwadi Vikas Yatra’ alone, without Mulayam Singh or Shivpal, CNN News 18 reported.
The entire campaign will be structured around him, projecting him as that party’s leader. To assert his position in the party, he will also attend the party’s silver jubilee celebrations after the Vikas Yatra.
Meanwhile, BJP is harping on the benefits of the rift in SP as part of its campaign before the UP polls.
On Tuesday, Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu commented on the Yadav family feud and said “Dynasty in democracy is nasty, but tasty to some people”.
ANI quoted Naidu as saying:
In its campaign before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, the BJP is trying to rid the state of the cycle of SP and BSP succeeding each other in the state government.
Akhilesh Supporters Protest Outside SP Office
Party workers and supporters of Akhilesh held a protest outside the SP office after Mulayam Singh’s press conference. One supporter told Times Now, “Akhilesh deserves justice after having worked as Chief Minister.”
Watch Samajwadi Party supremo, Mulayam Singh brief the media alongside Shivpal Yadav below:
MSY Addresses Press Conference, UP CM Absent
Mulayam Singh Yadav broke his silence after the reported patching up of the feud in the family. The party supremo asserted that the family as well as the party was united, and Akhilesh will remain the Chief Minister of the state.
He added that the CM will take a call on whether to reinstate the sacked ministers.
Even as he said this, Mulayam rubbished comments that his cousin, Ram Gopal, made about Amar Singh.
When asked about the proposition that he himself should become the CM face, Mulayam answered: “There are only four months left to the polls. Why think this now?”
No SP Without Akhilesh: Ram Gopal Yadav
Ram Gopal backed his nephew Akhilesh by saying the party would not exist without him. He rubbished Mulayam’s statement that Amar Singh had contributed and personally helped the former, adding that only Netaji and Shivpal know what’s so special about Singh.
Referring to his expulsion and Amar Singh’s role in it he said “khote sikke ne asli sikke ko market se bahar kar diya” (the fake coin has ousted the real one.)
Shivpal, Three Sacked Ministers Meet Mulayam Singh
Shivpal Yadav and the three sacked UP ministers, Shadab Fatima, Narad Rai and OP Singh are in a meeting with party supremo Mulayam, even as Shivpal reiterated all is well in the party, and that Netaji’s word would be the final one.
CNN-News18 reported that Akhilesh will reinstate the three sacked ministers.
Akhilesh Fantastic CM but Needs Time to Be Mass Leader: Amar Singh
Senior SP leader Amar Singh on Monday denied allegations that he was trying to destroy the party and said Akhilesh Yadav was a fantastic Chief Minister but needed time to become a mass leader.
“As Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is absolutely fantastic. As a first time administrator his focus on development, agenda for development, is mind-boggling,” Singh said at a programme here.
Earlier, In a statement, Amar Singh gave his regards to the UP CM Akhilesh, who is the son of his “supreme leader”.
Core Meeting Commences
Shivpal Yadav met CM Akhilesh Yadav at Mulayam Singh’s residence in Lucknow.
According to a report published in the Indian Express Akhilesh and Shivpal spent 45 minutes together at the CM residence in the evening and left together in a car to meet Mulayam Singh. They were there for more than an hour and the SP chief made them hug each other and promise to work together.
Ram Gopal Yadav Voices Support for Akhilesh
A day after being expelled from the party for anti-party activities, Mulayam’s cousin, Ram Gopal Yadav has clearly stated his support for Akhilesh.
Watch Ram Gopal Yadav speak to ANI on the Yadav feud.
Meeting Likely to be Cancelled
The meeting called at Mulayam’s residence hasn’t commenced yet. None of the senior leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, have shown up yet.
Keeping in mind Mulayam’s failing health over the last few days, it is being speculated whether the meeting has been cancelled.
Azam Khan Responsible for Crisis in Samajwadi Party
A prominent Shia cleric on Monday held UP Minister Azam Khan for the present crisis in SP and accused him of “misguiding” Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to pick up a fight with party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and state unit president Shivpal Yadav to create a mistrust in the family and he gets the CM's post.
"Akhilesh Yadav has been misguided by none other than Azam Khan. It is the wily leader of Rampur who has been leading SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav's son to tread a path that would lead to disaster. He is a young man with a long future. He should understand Khan's design and mend fences with his father and uncle," Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad
A second core group meeting with Akhilesh and Shivpal will be held at Mulayam Singh’s residence. CNN News 18 reported that some doctors were seen going into Mulayam’s residence.
Heavy security has been deployed outside Mulayam’s residence.
Shivpal Sacks Ten Sloganeers: Reports
Shivpal Yadav sacked ten sloganeers from Samajwadi Party for booing him, CNN News 18 reported.
Akhilesh is likely to brief the media soon, CNN News 18 reported
Listen to Shivpal Yadav claiming that Akhilesh wanted to form his own party, in the video below:
Expelled SP Leader Assures Party’s Unity
Expelled SP leader Om Prakash told reporters that the party stands united and the Yadav trio brokered peace amongst themselves in the meeting.
In the meeting, Shivpal Yadav said that Akhilesh should step aside and Mulayam Singh should be the Chief Minister along with being party head, CNN News 18 reported.
Watch The Quint’s explainer on Uttar Pradesh’s very on Game of Throne.
Second Core Meeting Called by Mulayam
SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav called for a meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and senior SP leader Shivpal Yadav at his residence at 5:30pm, ANI reported.
Akhilesh’s supporters from SP’s Youth Wing said the MLAs of the SP may draft a resolution and submit to the party chief by evening, demanding that Shivpal Yadav be sacked, CNN News 18 reported.
Yadav Trio Reportedly Brokered Truce
Quoting sources, CNN News 18 reported that the Yadav trio came to a truce in the meeting.
Mulayam Singh reportedly told Shivpal and Akhilesh that they’re both needed for the party.
However, Akhilesh asserted to SP supremo, Mulayam Singh, that the issue around Amar Singh will have to be resolved first, CNN News 18 reported.
Mulayam Singh’s cousin brother, Ram Gopal Yadav told reporters at the airport that he isn’t affiliated to the Samajwadi Party anymore.
MLC Ashu Malik Offers an Explanation
MLC Ashu Malik, accused of planting a story against Akhilesh in a national daily, told News18 his name has come up only because he sent a notice to the publication.
Malik said his utmost loyalty lies with Mulayam Singh, though he is not against Akhilesh and respects him as a Chief Minister.
Malik maintained that the issue would be resolved.
Here’s a copy of Malik’s letter to Times of India, the publication in question:
Now, Shivpal Also Arrives at Netaji’s Residence
Shivpal arrived at Mulayam’s residence soon after Akhilesh. The meeting reportedly is only between the three senior leaders, the outcome of which will most likely design the fate of the party.
Akhilesh Reaches Mulayam's Residence
After a public spat, Akhilesh has now arrived at his father’s residence, perhaps hoping for a resolution.
The meeting at the party office ended on an inconclusive note and tensions within the party have seemingly exacerbated further.
Open Spat Between Mulayam and Akhilesh
There has reportedly been an open spat between Mulayam Singh and son Akhilesh towards the end of the former’s speech.
Mulayam’s extension of unconditional support to Amar Singh has not been well received by Akhilesh who interjected his father’s speech.
According to CNN-News18, Akhilesh said Amar Singh’s presence in the party will not be tolerated, to which Mulayam replied:
Akhilesh also accused party MLC Ashu Malik of planting a story against him in a leading daily, at the behest of Amar Singh.
The story, supposedly in the front page of Times of India, compared Akhilesh to Aurangzeb and Mulayam to Shah Jahan. Shivpal intervened immediately, snatched Akhilesh’s mic, and denied the allegation.
The meeting has ended on an undecided note and the party patriarch Mulayam has not been able to broker peace.
'All of Amar Singh's Sins Are Forgiven'
Backing his son’s prime target and ‘outsider’, Amar Singh, Mulayam said:
Taking a direct dig at his son, he added:
Shivpal Is a People's Leader: Mulayam Backs His Brother
In the public feud between Mulayam’s son Akhilesh and brother Shivpal, the party supremo backed his brother.
He said Shivpal is a “people’s leader” and that he “will never forget the work Shivpal has done for him and the party.”
Rift in My Family Saddens Me: Mulayam Singh
Upset over the escalating tensions in the party, Yadav patriarch Mulayam Singh said he was saddened by the rift in his family. He said a lot of hard work has gone into forming the party.
He said the party had given room to the youth and implored workers not to engage in sloganeering.
He said instead of fighting among themselves, the members of the party should focus on removing the weaknesses within.
He went on to add that some people are excitable right now, but won’t have the stamina to handle the backlash, if the event arises – “Jo bahut ucchal rahein hai, agar baat aayi to ek laathi bhi nahin seh paaenge.”
Reiterating his authority in the party and perhaps sending a covert message to his son, he said:
Shivpal Makes an Emotional Speech
Shivpal Yadav made an emotional speech to the party workers, harking back to the earlier days of the party and his contributions to it.
Shivpal said he has been in the party since 1972, even before Akhilesh was born.
He also asserted that Akhilesh had told him that he will form another party.
He said indiscipline will not be tolerated and those who have been ousted from the party need to leave the meeting.
Akhilesh Addresses Party Workers
Akhilesh Yadav addressed party workers ahead of his father, Mulayam Singh. He alleged conspiracy and said people were creating confusion regarding him:
Speaking to the workers, Akhilesh said he has lived up to the promises he has made to his father.
Emotional, Akhilesh said he would have resigned if ‘Netaji’ had asked him to.
He alleged that there was a conspiracy in the party and it is his responsibility to get to the bottom of it.
Akhilesh, Mulayam Singh Arrive at Party Office
Akhilesh arrived at the Samajwadi Party office ahead of his father Mulayam. Mulayam Singh arrived soon after and is expected to deliver an emotional speech that will provide clarity on the spiralling situation.
The meeting is expected to officially start soon.
Mulayam’s address is reportedly not going to be a closed-door meet but will be open to party cadre and workers, indicating that the party patriarch will convey a strong message to his party.
Ram Gopal's Son Writes a Letter
Ram Gopal Yadav’s son, Akshay Yadav, penned a letter to the party expressing his disappointment with the treatment meted out to his father.
He dismissed the allegations of corruption against him, his father and his wife, as false.
Meanwhile Ram Gopal has reportedly called Akhilesh a ‘one-man party’.
Turning a quiet Sunday into an eventful one, full of political developments, the feud in the Samajwadi Party opened a can of worms for the Yadav family.
Shivpal Yadav reportedly met with party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday, ahead of the mega party meet called at 10 am.
Shivpal told reporters they are preparing for the upcoming elections in the state, and will be meeting people directly.
Meanwhile, supporters of both Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal, engaged in sloganeering outside the party office.
According to CNN-News18 sources, Akhilesh is set to be sacked from the party, in the midst of enormous political upheaval.
Earlier on Sunday, Akhilesh sacked Shivpal from the Cabinet along with three of his loyalists – Narad Rai, Om Prakash and Shadab Fatima.
Akhilesh cited their closeness with ‘outsider’ Amar Singh for his decision. In response, Akhilesh’s uncle and close aide, Ram Gopal Yadav, was expelled from the party and the General Secretary post for six years, on grounds of corruption.
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Published: 24 Oct 2016,09:27 AM IST