- Akhilesh and Mulayam Singh Yadav take fight over party’s ‘cycle’ symbol to Election Commission’s office in Delhi
- Mulayam postpones Samajwadi Party convention that was to be held on 5 January
- Naresh Uttam appointed chief of Samajwadi Party’s Uttar Pradesh unit
- Ram Gopal Yadav, two other leaders expelled from the party by Mulayam Singh Yadav
- Mulayam calls meet “unconstitutional”
- Akhilesh Yadav unanimously elected SP’s national president
- National executive calls for removing Shivpal Yadav as state president and sacking Amar Singh
The ugly battle raged on Monday in Uttar Pradeshs ruling Samajwadi Party with party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav approaching the Election Commission to secure his right over its election symbol "cycle".
A day after being dethroned as the Samajwadi Party national president by his warring son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam Singh insisted the party belonged to him and declared the action against him unconstitutional.
Accompanied by his brother Shivpal Yadav, Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh and actress-turned politician Jaya Prada, Mulayam Singh met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi in the national capital.
Meanwhile, Mulayam confidant Amar Singh appeared unfazed by his "expulsion" from the party by Akhilesh Yadav and insisted his allegiance to Mulayam Singh.
"I was with Mulayam and will remain with him. My association with him made me a hero and if needed I can become a villian also," he said.
Mulayam, Amar Singh Visit EC’s Office
Mulayam Singh Yadav, along with Amar Singh and Jaya Prada meet Election Commission’s officials.
While Ram Gopal Yadav’s meeting with the Election Commission of India has been fixed for 11:30 am on Tuesday.
Party Symbol Faces Threat of Being Frozen
The Samajwadi Party’s ‘cycle’ symbol faces the threat of being frozen if rival factions stake claim on it in the coming days.
“The symbol will probably be frozen and both factions (led by Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav) will be given ad hoc names and symbols,” says former Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi.
Mulayam is Still Party Chief: Shivpal Yadav
On their way to Delhi, both Shivpal Yadav and Amar Singh reaffirm their support towards Netaji Mulayam Singh Yadav. Shivpal says Mulayam is still Samajwadi Party’s national president and will continue to retain the position. “I will be with Mulayam till my last breath,” he says upon his arrival in Delhi.
Talking to reporters after returning from London, Amar says, “I was and will remain with Mulayam Singh Yadav. I was a hero. But I am ready to become a khalnayak (villain) for him”.