A day after a series of sackings within the Samajwadi Party, Mulayam Singh Yadav called a meeting of MPs, MLAs, MLCs and senior party leaders on Monday to find ways to resolve the current political crisis within the party.
Mulayam Singh spoke to the party workers in an hour-long address in a chaotic meet in Lucknow.
Upset over the escalating tensions in the party, Yadav patriarch Mulayam Singh said he was saddened by the rift in his family and added that a lot of hard work has gone into forming the party.
However, Mulayam made it clear that Akhilesh Yadav will remain in the party.
Mulayam 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 from within.
Some ministers are just busy being sycophants. And people who can’t think big, can’t be ministers.Mulayam Singh
He went on to add that some people seem very excited right now, but won’t have the stamina to handle anything if the tide turns – “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:
I am not a weak person. Do not think that the youth is not with me. If you can’t face criticism, you can’t be a leader.
Shivpal Is a People's Leader: Mulayam Backs His Brother
In regard to 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.”
Drunkards, goons have been added to the party. You get some power and it goes to your head. Shivpal Yadav is the leader of the masses.Mulayam Singh
'All of Amar Singh's Sins Are Forgiven'
Amar Singh is my brother. I can’t leave Amar Singh or Shivpal Yadav. All of Amar Singh’s sins are forgiven.Mulayam Singh
He said that Amar Singh had helped him a lot and if it wasn’t for Amar Singh, he would have been in jail.
Taking a direct dig at his son, he added:
I tell Akhilesh things but he focuses on other things. Abusing people does not help.
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 gone down well with Akhilesh, who had 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:
Look at your Chief Minister. See how he talks to his father.
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’s post for six years, on grounds of corruption.
Shivpal Makes an Emotional Speech
Shivpal Yadav made an emotional speech to the party workers, speaking about 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.
I have been around for so many years, have I not contributed to this party? Have I worked any less than the Chief Minister (Akhilesh)?
He also asserted that Akhilesh had told him that he will form another party.
Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)