Lucknow: Notwithstanding the deep divide in his family and party, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday sought to project an 'all is well' image even though he could not commit whether his brother Shivpal would be reinstated in the cabinet of son Akhilesh Yadav who had sacked him.
The "party and family are united", he said in Lucknow at a press conference where he was flanked by Shivpal and three other sacked ministers but Chief Minister Akhilesh was conspicuous by his absence.
"My entire life is devoted for the welfare of the people and he will continue to work for them," he added.
But Mulayam’s assertion that the party and the family were united and strong did not placate UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s supporters, hundreds of whom virtually laid siege to the party office in Lucknow.
According to a report, the supporters demanded that Akhilesh be reinstated as the Samajwadi Party chief for Uttar Pradesh, a post that is currently held by the CM’s uncle Shivpal Yadav.
Young men, wearing red caps and some even wearing T-shirts with Akhilesh's image embossed on them, climbed up on trees and demanded that Shivpal Singh Yadav be removed as state chief and Akhilesh once again be made the party chief, as was the case before September 13 – when Mulayam effected the change.
The police had a tough time controlling the supporters, who asserted that the future lay with 43-year-old Akhilesh rather than his 77-year-old father and uncle.
According to reports, Akhilesh Yadav, despite three meetings with his father on Tuesday, was adamant that his aides and uncle Ram Gopal Yadav, who had been expelled from the party, be brought back – and Amar Singh be shown the door. But these demands were rejected, and Akhilesh did not attend Mulayam’s press conference – instead driving to his official 5, Kalidas Marg residence.
Akhilesh is said to have also refused his father’s demand to reinstate sacked UP ministers including Shivpal Yadav.
Meanwhile, Mulayam strongly defended party MP Amar Singh, who is being blamed by the Akhilesh faction for the problems in the family, asking "why to drag him in all this"?
"My family and party are united. All workers are united. There are some conspirators, who do not have any mass base," Mulayam told a hurriedly convened press conference.
"There is not 'matbhed' (difference) or 'manbhed' (ill feelings) among our leaders," Yadav said.
Asked whether Shivpal and other sacked ministers would then be reinstated in the Akhilesh cabinet, he said, "I leave this to CM.... You ask him why he made them ministers and why he sacked them."
Appearing cautious while replying to a questions, Mulayam said, "I will not make any single controversial statement. Whatever you may ask."
To a question whether he would take over the reins of the state from his son Akhilesh, the SP supremo said, "Why will I consider it now when Assembly elections are just few months away."
He said Model Code of Conduct will come into force in November or December and government will not be able to work freely.
About party's Chief ministerial candidate for 2017, the SP supremo said, "Ours is a democratic party. First let us get majority and then elected representatives will select their
CM. Presently, Akhilesh is CM, does anyone have any problem?"
On certain statements by pro-Akhilesh cousin Ramgopal Yadav, who has been expelled from the party, Mulayam said, "I do not give him any importance now."
Sacked ministers Om Prakash Singh, Narad Rai and Sayeda Shadab Fatima were also present, besides tainted minister Gayatri Prajapati.
