Split family spits it out

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, October 24

The Samajwadi Party meeting of MLAs, MPs and MLCs, summoned by national president Mulayam Singh Yadav, saw high-voltage drama and tears today, but achieved nothing. 

The party patriarch managed a  fragile truce between the warring sections headed by his son, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, and brother Shivpal Yadav, the state unit president. But it was soon back to square one. An ugly scuffle erupted between supporters of rival camps outside the party office well before the meeting began. It was virtually free-for-all inside the premises,  even in the presence of Mulayam.

Edit: A ramlila in Lucknow

Addressing the meeting, Akhilesh set at rest speculation about his forming a separate party. He said he would resign if Netaji (his father) asked him to. The latter cut his son to size in full public view, asking him if he had the stature or the ability to win an election on his own.

At the end of the three-hour meeting, Mulayam made son Akhilesh and brother Shivpal set aside their grievances. Akhilesh was seen touching his paternal uncle’s feet. Akhilesh and Shivpal hugged each other and party leaders heaved a sigh of relief. But within seconds, matters turned from bad to worse.

As Ashu Malik, MLC, walked towards Mulayam for a “clarification” regarding a newspaper report describing Akhilesh as “Aurangzeb” and Mulayam “Shahjahan”, and Akhilesh took to the mike, an agitated Shivpal was on his legs. He snatched the mike from the CM, accusing him of being a liar. Soon supporters of both camps were at each other’s throat. There was utter chaos and Mulayam and Akhilesh were forced to leave. 

“No one becomes a samajwadi (socialist) by donning a red cap alone,” Mulayam remarked disdainfully while referring to Akhilesh’s youth brigade.“I am not weak. 

“The Samajwadi Party will not break. I have shown respect to the youth and they too are with me,” he claimed.

Expressing unwavering support for brother Shivpal and Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, he said he would not part ways with them under any circumstances. "Amar Singh is like a brother to me. He has saved me from going to prison. I am indebted to him. And you use abusive language against him?”  Mulayam reprimanded Akhilesh.  Praising Shivpal for his sacrifices for the party, Mulayam described him as a leader of the masses.

Defending the alliance with Mukhtar Ansari’s Qaumi Ekta Dal, he said the party was capable of ensuring a win in a large number of seats in eastern UP. “The Ansari brothers belong to a highly respectable family," he maintained.

At the meeting, CM Akhilesh broke down several times.“Let ‘Netaji’ install a chief minister who he believes is honest,” he  said, adding he had worked hard to implement the party manifesto for people's welfare.

Ruling out floating a separate party, he said he would participate in the silver jubilee celebrations besides launching his election campaign. He categorically blamed Amar Singh for the strained ties with his chacha.

Shivpal, in an equally emotional speech, blamed the CM for misbehaving with him and spoke at length about Amar Singh’s contribution to the party. 

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Quotes

Mulayam to Akhilesh

Tumhari haisiyat hi kya hai? (Who the hell are you?) What is your capability? Can you win elections?

Mulayam on Amar Singh

You all know nothing about Amar Singh. He saved me from going to prison.  And you (Akhilesh) use abusive language against him?

Shivpal to Akhilesh supporters

Your Chief Minister is a liar.

He had told me that he (Akhilesh) would be floating a party and going to the polls in alliance with another party.

Akhilesh on CM’s post

Let ‘netaji’ (Mulayam) instal a chief minister who he feels is honest. Why should I form a new party?