Another storm in SP: MLAs would elect their leader, says Mulayam Singh

Lucknow: There was yet another storm in the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday when party president Mulayam Singh Yadav reiterated that the MLAs would elect their leader if the party got a majority in the Assembly elections.

The high drama that was witnessed on Monday was replayed on Tuesday when supporters of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, once again, created a ruckus demanding that he be named the chief ministerial candidate.

The ruckus continued for more than three hours during which Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and his brother and state party president Shivpal Yadav had to remain inside the party office. Sources claim that with status quo continuing, another round of war is likely to emerge during ticket distribution.

Earlier, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, accompanied by Mr Shivpal Yadav, held a press conference where he read out a brief written note reaffirming his faith in the ideology of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.

SP supremo rules out taking over as UP CM
There was yet another storm in the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday when party president Mula-yam Singh Yadav reiterated that the MLAs would elect their leader if the party got a majority in the upcoming Assembly elections.

The party supremo refused to respond to allegations levelled by his cousin and expelled leader Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav and said there was no need to drag Mr Amar Singh into the controversy. On whether he would take over as chief minister to salvage the situation, Mr Mulayam Singh said, “What is the point of becoming chief minister for two months? Is it only to distribute salaries?”
When asked about the sacked ministers being re-inducted, the party president said, “I leave it to the Chief Minister”.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had put up three demands-he should be given the right to decide on tickets for the assembly polls. He should be made state president again and all his expelled loyalists should be taken back.

A party legislator, who belongs to the Akhilesh camp, said on Tuesday, “We remain caught between the proverbial devil and the deep sea. The differences between Mr Akhilesh Yadav and Mr Shivpal Yadav remain unresolved — in fact there is greater bitterness between the two now — and we do not know whether we will get tickets or not.”