MSY, Akhilesh call separate meets; SP may formally split

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, March 27

A split in the Samajwadi Party appears to be just a formality. An indication of this is the fact that both national chief Akhilesh Yadav and ex-president Mulayam Singh Yadav have convened separate meetings of the newly elected MLAs.

The party having a defacto and dejure power centre is sending confusing signals across the already demoralised party cadre.

While Akhilesh has convened a meeting of newly  elected MLAs on March 28, his father Mulayam has invited the party MLAs for a meeting on March 29. Earlier, Akhilesh had convened a meeting of newly elected MLAs on March 16 in which he had been authorised to name the leader of the Opposition.

According to party sources, the son wants former minister Ram Govind Chaudhary as the leader of Opposition. Chaudhary, an old-time socialist and once close associate of former PM Chandrashekar had sided with then CM Akhilesh during the family feud.

However, Mulayam wants the post, having the rank of a cabinet minister, for his brother and Akhilesh’s bête noire Shivpal Yadav. Articulate SP leader Mohd Azam Khan is also believed to be keen to be considered for the post as it would give him an opportunity to challenge the BJP inside the Vidhan Sabha. Some party leaders and newly elected legislators have reportedly met Mulayam, requesting him to take over the party once again and rebuild it for the 2019 poll.