Akhilesh Yadav is currently being accused of several things, including rebelling against father Mulayam Singh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav, and taking apart the party that his father had put together over the years. Sometimes it seemed like he is close to winning the power struggles and sometimes it looked like he is losing the battle.
Throughout the turbulence, the one person who has always been by Akhilesh’s side is his wife Dimple Yadav.
In 2012, it was Dimple, said Akhilesh’s close relatives, who had warned him about the trouble brewing both within the party and the family. With time the couple only grew closer, the sources said, and she became Akhilesh’s source of strength. Dimple also firmly supported Akhilesh during the ongoing feud in the Samajwadi Party and the Yadav family. The sources said she also advised Akhilesh and her advice played a role in him becoming popular among the people.
Dimple’s Social Media Blitz
Not only did Dimple take care of the household and help in reducing the rift in the family, she also handled the social media activities for the Yadav family. Through Facebook and Twitter, Dimple helped revamp the party’s image and evoke sympathy for Akhilesh. While the Yadav family fought, Dimple was involved in an aggressive social media campaign where she successfully changed the image of Akhilesh Yadav and helped increase his popularity.
According to sources, Dimple keeps a close tab on Akhilesh’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, so that not a single important event gets missed.
In an interview, Akhilesh had once said that Dimple is the one who gives him the strength to fight all odds.
Dimple Warned Akhilesh About Conspiracy
The conspiracy being planned against Akhilesh in the Samajwadi Party came to the fore in October for the first time. Akhilesh had said that Amar Singh had conspired to remove him from the post of Chief Minister. His uncle Shivpal Yadav too got involved in a fight with his nephew.
Dimple Yadav very sensibly dealt with the situation. She did not say a word against Amar Singh and Shivpal Yadav which prevented the fight from escalating, and helped Akhilesh clarify differences with Mulayam.
The sources said that in 2012, after Dimple had told Akhilesh about the conspiracy being plotted against him, he refused to believe it and laughed it off. But later he realised that she was telling the truth. Akhilesh started visiting Mulayam’s residence every day after office. According to sources, “When Sadhna Gupta (Mulayam’s second wife) and Mulayam’s younger brother Shivpal started creating problems for Akhilesh, it is then that Akhilesh decided to shift next to Mulayam’s residence.”
Dimple’s Poll Setback
It is said that Mulayam Singh Yadav has always stood in the way of Dimple Yadav. Initially he was against Akhilesh and Dimple’s marriage, but later Amar Singh convinced Mulayam to give in. After their marriage in 1999, while Akhilesh and Dimple planned their honeymoon, the by-elections were announced. Following this, Mulayam gave the responsibility of securing the seat from Kannauj to Akhilesh.
In 2009, when Akhilesh was about to give up the Firozabad seat to contest from Kannauj, he advised Dimple to contest from the former. However, this proposal was opposed by Mulayam.
When she made her foray into politics, Dimple could barely address a rally for five minutes. In such a situation, despite backing from Firozabad party workers, Mulayam did not extend his support to her. Consequently, the party lost its Firozabad seat as Dimple was defeated by Congress’ Raj Babbar.
Mulayam Was Not in Favour of Women Entering Politics
In 2010, Mulayam protested against the Congress’ effort to get the Parliament to pass the bill for women’s reservation.
People will whistle at women from renowned families when they enter politics. Believe me... women from such families can win elections and reach the Parliament but it won’t change anything.
However, even this did not change the stand of Samajwadi Party and the Yadav clan for Dimple’s entry in the politics. Dimple, with her army background, believes in keeping the Yadav clan united. This is why not only has she managed to hold her ground against Mulayam but has also managed to keep the party and the Yadav family united.
(This story originally appeared on QuintHindi.)
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