India: Thaw in Uttar Pradesh's first family, chief minister returns uncle Shivpal's portfolios

Rift in the first family of India's Uttar Pradesh might be nearing an endwith chief minister Akhilesh Yadav announcing on Friday that his uncle Shivpal Yadav will be given back allhis portfolios and sacked ministerGayatri Prajapati will be reinducted as cabinet minister, issues which had triggered a public war between the two.

The chief of ruling Samajwadi Party (SP),Mulayam Singh Yadav,had rushed to the state's capital earlier on Thursdayto bridge the differences between brother Shivpal and son Akhilesh. The announcement came in after reaching a compromise formula, according to media reports.

"There can be no division in the party, till I am there," the SP supremo was quoted as saying in the media reports.


Following the discusssion between the chief minister, Akhilesh and Shivpal,Akhileshmade the announcement on Twitter.

Akhilesh had stripped his uncle ofkey cabinet positions earlier this week, ensuing an all outwarfollowingAkhilesh'sremovalas party's state unit chief. Speculations were rife that Shivpal's removal from key portfolios of the cabinet came afterAkhilesh, who held the post of state party president for about four years, was replaced by his uncle Shivpal.

Mulayam and Akhilesh had earlier rejected Shivpal's resignation from the government and the party.

"Netaji (Mulayam) has heard all of us. He will talk to some others if he wants and will take a decision by tomorrow," Shivpal said on Friday, indicating a truce was on the anvil.

Akhilesh said that he has rejected Shivpal's resignation will comply with whatever his father directs. "Netaji (Mulayam) will find a solution (to the current crisis) and everyone will accept it," he said.

Shivpal, meanwhile, said he will as the state unit chief and is preparing for theelectoral challenge ahead but was evasive whether he will go back to the government.

"That (resignation from party post) has not been accepted. When I have said that for me, Netaji's ( the supremo's)hint is an order...Akhilesh has also said so. So where is the feud anymore," he said.

At the same time, he indicated that he may not return to the government. "Look, I have resigned only recently. I have got a bigger responsibility. Elections are near and I have to work for the polls. Who is bothered about portfolios? I had only one portfolio, so I said why only one. I will work for the party."

(WION with inputs from PTI)