Akhilesh Yadav rejects Shivpal’s resignation, says there is no fight

Mangalore Today News Network

Lucknow, Sep 16, 2016:  Akhilesh Yadav rejected uncle Shivpal Yadav’s resignation on Friday, in signs of a truce after the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister met with his father and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in Lucknow. 

Shivpal Yadav had met Mulayam Singh, his older brother, earlier.

Before setting off for the meeting, he staged a show of strength outside his home, telling the many supporters gathered there, "I am with Netaji... don’t let the party weaken." He urged them to meet the party chief.

From his 7, Kalidas Marg residence, right next to Akhilesh Yadav’s official residence, Shivpal Yadav T-shirts were sent out and there was a scramble to get one. The slogans raised by his supporters told the story of the Yadav vs Yadav saga so far.

"Uncle fight on, we are with you," they said, and also, "Take over the post, Netaji," and "Throw out Ram Gopal."

On Thursday evening, after a meeting with Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav quit all his responsibilities in two resignation letters. He faxed one to Akhilesh Yadav informing him that he would not serve as a minister in his government any more.

In the other, to his brother, he quit all party posts, plunging the Samajwadi Party into deeper crisis, five months before crucial assembly elections.

It signalled the failure of Mulayam Singh Yadav to bridge differences between his brother and his son as they battle for political supremacy in the party. Akhilesh Yadav is backed by Mulayam’s cousin Ram Gopal Yadav, another key leader of the party.

All this week, the family feud has played out in public after Mulayam Singh Yadav replaced Akhilesh Yadav as the party’s chief in Uttar Pradesh with Shivpal Yadav. Hours later, Akhilesh struck back, divesting his uncle of all his important portfolios as minister and handing him social welfare.

Shivpal, trusted by Mulayam Singh as the party’s election strategist, is said to be pressing for the removal of Akhilesh as chief minister. He wants Mulayam Singh to take over.

Akhilesh Yadav has blamed "outsiders" for the crisis, seen as a reference to politician Amar Singh, who recently returned to the Samajwadi Party after many years in exile and is reportedly backing Shivpal Yadav.