Another Akhilesh aide sacked, CM meets Guv

Lucknow, October 26

As the war in the ruling Samajwadi Party continued, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today triggered speculation in political circles by suddenly meeting Governor Ram Naik, hours after one more leader considered close to him was expelled from the party.

While the meeting between Akhilesh and Naik was officially described as a courtesy call, sources in the Raj Bhawan said the prevailing political situation in the state did figure during the 15-minute interaction.

“It was a courtesy call. The Chief Minister called on the Governor to wish him ahead of Diwali as Naik will be out of station during the festival,” an official spokesman said.

Raj Bhawan officially described the meeting as a “courtesy call”. It was one-on-one meeting without any aides. Though officials maintained that an appointment had been sought in advance, the sudden meeting triggered speculation in political circles.

Sources said the Governor asked the CM to apprise him of the latest political situation in the state considering the deep divisions in the ruling party.

Earlier in the day, Shivpal, who is the state SP chief, expelled Tejnarain Pandey (alias Pawan Pandey), who is considered close to Akhilesh, for six years for “indiscipline”. Shivpal also wrote to the CM requesting that he be sacked from the ministry. Pandey is a junior minister in the Akhilesh government. Pandey had clashed and allegedly beaten up SP MLC Ashu Malik, whom Akhilesh had accused of planting stories against him in the media.

Meanwhile, diverting attention from the ongoing crisis in the party, national president Mulayam Singh Yadav took the initiative to once again bring together members of the Grand Alliance in connection with the party's silver jubilee celebrations on November 5.

Party president Shivpal Yadav personally boarded a flight to New Delhi to invite JD-U leader Sharad Yadav. He would then proceed to invite Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rashtriya Lok Dal president Ajit Singh and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. — PTI/TNS