Fight in govt, not family, says UP CM after stripping uncle of key ministries

Lucknow: Amid differences with uncle Shivpal Yadav, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was on Wednesday combative on the decisions taken by him that have led to internal feuds coming out in the open even as he said that there might be problems in the government, but not in the family.

Akhilesh said that he too will follow the directions of his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"If I have taken any decision, it was in consultation with 'netaji', but at times one has to apply his own mind and I too took some decisions on my own," he said.

Read: Yadav vs Yadav in UP: Shivpal defies CM, says will abide by Mulayam’s decision

With strife in the ruling Yadav clan coming out in the open, Akhilesh skipped two official programmes outside his residence, perhaps to avoid the media, and allowed only "photo-op" for a function there.

But to a question, he said, "As far as family is concerned, everyone abides by what 'netaji' (Mulayam Singh Yadav) says and will accept his words."

"There may be problems in the government, but not in the family," he said on the sidelines of an event at his 5, Kalidas Marg official residence.

The Mulayam family has been dogged by serious differences with matters reaching a flash point on TUesday after the Chief Minister shunted out Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal, considered as his uncle Shivpal Yadav's favourite.

In a tit-for-tat action, Mulayam took away the post of UP Samajwadi Party chief from his son Akhilesh, perhaps to smooth the ruffled feathers of Shivpal.

But, within hours a peeved chief minister hit back by clipping his uncle's wings by divesting him of his key PWD, Irrigation and Cooperative portfolios.

Apparently referring to Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh, who had recently hosted a dinner in Delhi where Deepak Singhal, who was shunted from post of Chief Secretary, was present, Akhilesh asked if "outsiders" interfere, how would the party function.

Mincing no words, the chief minister said, "Those whom I have removed...people are well aware of their image."

He was apparently referring to Mining Minister Gayatri Prajapti and Singhal.

Singhal, considered close to minister Shivpal Yadav, was shown the door barely two months after he took charge.

Samajwadi Party insiders said the chief minister was perhaps not happy with Singhal as he had attended a dinner hosted by Amar Singh which Akhilesh gave a miss though Mulayam and some other top party leaders were present.

According to party insiders, Akhilesh was not very happy with Singhal for his "closeness" with Shivpal.

Singhal was earlier Principal Secretary (Irrigation), a department held by Shivpal.