Yadav pari-war: SP split on cards

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, October 22

Despite a series of meetings with the father-and-son duo, several veteran Samajwadi Party leaders appear to have failed to avert a possible vertical split in the Samajwadi Party.

Contours of more trouble in the SP are clearly visible. While Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has summoned party MLAs to Lucknow on Sunday, national president Mulayam Singh Yadav has asked them over the very next day on Monday.

In a day of fast-paced developments, senior leaders like Rajya Sabha MPs Beni Prasad Verma, Reoti Raman Singh, Naresh Aggaral, Kironmony Nanda stepped in attempting to act as intermediaries in the father-son power struggle.

They first had a meeting with party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav at his 5, Vikramadiya Marg residence and then drove to 5 Kalidas Marg, the official residence of the Chief Minister, where they were joined by Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey and Minister Rajendra Chadhury. However, despite remaining there for several hours no positive result was apparent. Coming out of the CM’s residence, Beni Prasad Verma claimed “All is well” while his tone and body language suggested otherwise.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party has suspended first time MLC Udayveer Singh for six year for indiscipline and anti-party activities. In a letter he had suggested to national president Mulayam Singh Yadav to step down in favour of Akhilesh. Speaking to mediapersons, Singh downplayed his expulsion and said he did not regret writing the letter.

In related developments, state party president Shivpal Singh Yadav appointed new office-bearers for the youth frontal organisations of the party. The previous office bearers — all close to Akhilesh, had been expelled from the party for raising slogans against him and Mulayam last month.

Their expulsion is one of the bones of contentions between the father and son. While Mulayam is not ready to take them back at any cost, Akhilesh is adamant to have them back by his side.

Today the new team replacing Akhilesh’s team includes Abhishek Singh ‘Ashu” as president of the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha, Anil Yadav as president of the Mulayam Singh Yadav Youth Brigade and Vijay Yadav as incharge of Lohia Vahini.

Later, CM Akhilesh Yadav called a meeting of the old team and his youth supporters at his official residence where they reportedly worked on finalising details of his proposed ‘Vikas Rath Yatra’ from November 3.

In all likelihood, Akhilesh and his supporters would miss the party’s silver jubilee celebrations beginning November 5.