Life and times of Mulayam Singh Yadav: From a wrestler, teacher, to national leader

Women are not immune to misogyny in public life. In politics, the open targeting just makes it clear the deep patriarchal bias that runs in our society despite laws in pl​ace. The harassment becomes more blatant for those women who do not descend from political families. Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamalnath’s use of the word 'item' is an example in case. He would not dare to use this word for women politicians who either hail from political families or belong to established backgrounds.&nbsp;

These words are reserved for women without patriarchal patronage. &nbsp;The sexual slur works as an expression of power and putting the woman in her place through the prism of class and caste. &nbsp;It is this slur which often leads to sexual violence in rural areas where its used as a tool to enforce socially constructed hierarchies. But this is only one part of sexual violence and misogyny in Indian politics.&nbsp;

Success in public life and attainment of public stature does not mean the end of such slurs. It moves from the domain of harassment and ridicule to character assassination. It involves running down of women for not having a child or not being married or treating her ambition and aggressiveness as a sign of unrestrained sexuality. This continues even today despite women making immense contribution in Indian politics.

It is also not as if India has not seen its fair share of women politicians in both pre-independence and post-Independence India. Sarojini Naidu, Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, Raj Kumari Amrit Kau, Lakshmi Sehgal, Bhikaji Cama and Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz are a few who made the cut in the Indian politics. In post-independent India, Indira Gandhi, Nandini Sathpathy, Mamta Banerjee, Jayalalitha, Mayawati, Sushma Swaraj, Sonia Gandhi, Nirmala Sitaraman, Vijay Raje Scindia, Mehbooba Mufti, Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Maneka Gandhi are some of the examples.&nbsp;

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"Kamal Nath (<a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfKNath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfKNath</a>) used the word ‘item’ for Imarti Devi. This is one example where politicians use sexual slurs even when they deny it to enforce social hierarchies," says <a href="https://twitter.com/kartikeya_1975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kartikeya_1975</a>. 
 
Read more here: <a href="https://t.co/EDBF7H5jcU">https://t.co/EDBF7H5jcU</a> <a href="https://t.co/tZWdgZHSe7">pic.twitter.com/tZWdgZHSe7</a>
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Barring few, most of these politicians came from political families. The women who became powerful were often run down as graceless and unrestrained. Criticism of this kind was heaped on them regardless of whether they came from both established and non-established backgrounds just because they became powerful. These women are Indira Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalitha, Mayawati, Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Mehbooba Mufti and Sonia Gandhi.

Vasundhara Raje Scindia was attacked with a jibe of 8 PM no CM when she became Chief Minister of Rajasthan for the first time. It was as if she was the only politician in Rajasthan who was enjoyed a drink or two. Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after 1971 was first compared with Durga and then a control freak who could not be dictated by men. She made an easy transition from Goddess to a witch, categories which either eulogise or demonise women.&nbsp;

Indira Gandhi got away with lot because of her stature and background but many politicians like Mayawati, Mamta Banerjee and Jayalalitha could not. When they came into their own, they were branded as mercurial, uncontrollable, fickle, suspicious, and extremely temperamental. &nbsp;All three women CMs had to undergo such labelling whereas no one could brand, Narendra Modi or Naveen Patnaik like this. Mayawati and Jayalalitha's success was explained because of their respective Godfathers and not out their innate strength.&nbsp;

Sonia Gandhi had to undergo a different sort of a trolling. When Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi became unpopular in late 1980s, Sonia Gandhi’s name was dragged in public and was blamed for Rajiv Gandhi’s political decisions. Shashi Tharoor was attacked by then PM candidate Modi for having and expensive 50 crore girlfriend. It did not damage Modi politically&nbsp;

Other women politicians like Sushma Swaraj also had to undergo personality trolling. Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj was reduced to her bright bindi, Union Minister Smriti Irani for her sindoor and Pratibha Patil for her dupatta. Nirmala Sitharaman's rise is being attributed to her mentor and not because she is right for the job. &nbsp;

Misogyny runs deep in the Indian politics but there exists a flip side to it too - which is that women also participate in pushing patriarchal values in all occupations. Sonia Gandhi’s love for her son Rahul Gandhi or Indira Gandhi pushing her sons in politics or adhering to traditional constituencies by women rather than trying to resist them has been a failure.&nbsp;

To walk with the conservative vote, women in Indian politics have also perpetuated old feudal patriarchal system of loyalties for political end. Gender reform in India requires simultaneous caste reforms as in its absence gender parity would become restricted to a class of women. It is for this reason that misogyny in India has been able to flourish.&nbsp;

Women are not immune to misogyny in public life. In politics, the open targeting just makes it clear the deep patriarchal bias that runs in our society despite laws in place.

Women are not immune to misogyny in public life. In politics, the open targeting just makes it clear the deep patriarchal bias that runs in our society despite laws in place. The harassment becomes more blatant for those women who do not descend from political families. Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamalnath’s use of the word 'item' is an example in case. He would not dare to use this word for women politicians who either hail from political families or belong to established backgrounds. These words are reserved for women without patriarchal patronage. The sexual slur works as an expression of power and putting the woman in her place through the prism of class and caste. It is this slur which often leads to sexual violence in rural areas where its used as a tool to enforce socially constructed hierarchies. But this is only one part of sexual violence and misogyny in Indian politics. Success in public life and attainment of public stature does not mean the end of such slurs. It moves from the domain of harassment and ridicule to character assassination. It involves running down of women for not having a child or not being married or treating her ambition and aggressiveness as a sign of unrestrained sexuality. This continues even today despite women making immense contribution in Indian politics. It is also not as if India has not seen its fair share of women politicians in both pre-independence and post-Independence India. Sarojini Naidu, Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, Raj Kumari Amrit Kau, Lakshmi Sehgal, Bhikaji Cama and Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz are a few who made the cut in the Indian politics. In post-independent India, Indira Gandhi, Nandini Sathpathy, Mamta Banerjee, Jayalalitha, Mayawati, Sushma Swaraj, Sonia Gandhi, Nirmala Sitaraman, Vijay Raje Scindia, Mehbooba Mufti, Vasundhara Raje Scindia and Maneka Gandhi are some of the examples. "Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) used the word ‘item’ for Imarti Devi. This is one example where politicians use sexual slurs even when they deny it to enforce social hierarchies," says @kartikeya_1975. Read more here: https://t.co/EDBF7H5jcU pic.twitter.com/tZWdgZHSe7 — WION (@WIONews) October 22, 2020 × Barring few, most of these politicians came from political families. The women who became powerful were often run down as graceless and unrestrained. Criticism of this kind was heaped on them regardless of whether they came from both established and non-established backgrounds just because they became powerful. These women are Indira Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Jayalalitha, Mayawati, Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Mehbooba Mufti and Sonia Gandhi. Vasundhara Raje Scindia was attacked with a jibe of 8 PM no CM when she became Chief Minister of Rajasthan for the first time. It was as if she was the only politician in Rajasthan who was enjoyed a drink or two. Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after 1971 was first compared with Durga and then a control freak who could not be dictated by men. She made an easy transition from Goddess to a witch, categories which either eulogise or demonise women. Indira Gandhi got away with lot because of her stature and background but many politicians like Mayawati, Mamta Banerjee and Jayalalitha could not. When they came into their own, they were branded as mercurial, uncontrollable, fickle, suspicious, and extremely temperamental. All three women CMs had to undergo such labelling whereas no one could brand, Narendra Modi or Naveen Patnaik like this. Mayawati and Jayalalitha's success was explained because of their respective Godfathers and not out their innate strength. Sonia Gandhi had to undergo a different sort of a trolling. When Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi became unpopular in late 1980s, Sonia Gandhi’s name was dragged in public and was blamed for Rajiv Gandhi’s political decisions. Shashi Tharoor was attacked by then PM candidate Modi for having and expensive 50 crore girlfriend. It did not damage Modi politically Other women politicians like Sushma Swaraj also had to undergo personality trolling. Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj was reduced to her bright bindi, Union Minister Smriti Irani for her sindoor and Pratibha Patil for her dupatta. Nirmala Sitharaman's rise is being attributed to her mentor and not because she is right for the job. Misogyny runs deep in the Indian politics but there exists a flip side to it too - which is that women also participate in pushing patriarchal values in all occupations. Sonia Gandhi’s love for her son Rahul Gandhi or Indira Gandhi pushing her sons in politics or adhering to traditional constituencies by women rather than trying to resist them has been a failure. To walk with the conservative vote, women in Indian politics have also perpetuated old feudal patriarchal system of loyalties for political end. Gender reform in India requires simultaneous caste reforms as in its absence gender parity would become restricted to a class of women. It is for this reason that misogyny in India has been able to flourish.

Women and misogyny in Indian politics

Samajwadi Party (SP) patron Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday celebrated his 80th birthday by cutting a massive cake weighing 81 Kilogram.

Mulayam's son and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also present on the occasion.

The cake cutting ceremony was held in the presence of party workers and cadres.

As the Samajwadi party patron celebrates his birthday today, posters extending birthday greetings to Mulayam were also put up in front of the SP office as well as outside Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party's (PSP) office in the national capital.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also extended greetings to Mulayam on his birthday and had wished for his healthy, long and active life.

Yadav, who was born on November 22, 1939, first became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1989 and served for three non-consecutive terms from 1989 to 1991, 1993 to 1995, and 2003 to 2007.

He has also served as the Defence Minister from 1996 to 1998 during the rule of United Front government.

Yadav has served as the Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Azamgarh between 2014 and 2019. At present, he is the MP in the lower house from Mainpuri. 
&nbsp;

Samajwadi Party (SP) patron Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday celebrated his 80th birthday by cutting a massive cake weighing 81 Kilogram. Mulayam's son and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also present on the occasion.

Samajwadi Party (SP) patron Mulayam Singh Yadav on Friday celebrated his 80th birthday by cutting a massive cake weighing 81 Kilogram. Mulayam's son and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also present on the occasion. The cake cutting ceremony was held in the presence of party workers and cadres. As the Samajwadi party patron celebrates his birthday today, posters extending birthday greetings to Mulayam were also put up in front of the SP office as well as outside Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party's (PSP) office in the national capital. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also extended greetings to Mulayam on his birthday and had wished for his healthy, long and active life. Yadav, who was born on November 22, 1939, first became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1989 and served for three non-consecutive terms from 1989 to 1991, 1993 to 1995, and 2003 to 2007. He has also served as the Defence Minister from 1996 to 1998 during the rule of United Front government. Yadav has served as the Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha from Azamgarh between 2014 and 2019. At present, he is the MP in the lower house from Mainpuri.

Uttar Pradesh: Mulayam Singh Yadav celebrates 80th birthday with party workers

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday hit out at BSP supremo <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-manifesto-for-2019-polls-an-illusion-says-mayawati-reminds-party-of-past-record-207690&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjP-Ibx3d7hAhXYh3AKHcw0Ay4QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2TciNVJ3JuJwoXQ7-3EDvE">Mayawati</a> for her comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying she is "frustrated".

"Mayawati has become frustrated. She is desperate and is ready to do or say anything. The people of Uttar Pradesh have rejected caste-based politics. This is an unethical alliance (between SP and BSP) and the truth is that the two parties are working against each other`s interests," Goyal told reporters.

In reference to Mayawati yesterday calling Mulayam the only "real" backward community leader in the country and not a "fake OBC" leader like Modi, Goyal recalled that it was the same SP founder who had said in the Lok Sabha that he wanted to see Modi get a second term.

While addressing a joint rally in Mainpuri on Friday, Mayawati had said, "There is no doubt that he (Mulayam) has joined people from all groups of the society under the SP banner. He does not come from a fake backward community like PM Modi, he is real OBC leader".

She also urged the electorates to vote in large numbers for Mulayam who is contesting from Mainpuri seat and ensure his victory.

"Mulayam Singh Ji is not a fake servant of the people like Prime Minister Modi, he is a politician who has sworn that he will continue working for the people till his last breath and that is why he is willing to fight again from Mainpuri constituency," Mayawati said.

"Nothing can save the incumbent central government from being thrown out of power, the government has come to be known for its capitalistic, narrow-minded policymaking, as well as communal and casteist policies," she added.

The remaining 64 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in the next five phases of elections, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday hit out at BSP supremo Mayawati for her comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying she is "frustrated". "Mayawati has become frustrated.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday hit out at BSP supremo Mayawati for her comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying she is "frustrated". "Mayawati has become frustrated. She is desperate and is ready to do or say anything. The people of Uttar Pradesh have rejected caste-based politics. This is an unethical alliance (between SP and BSP) and the truth is that the two parties are working against each other`s interests," Goyal told reporters. In reference to Mayawati yesterday calling Mulayam the only "real" backward community leader in the country and not a "fake OBC" leader like Modi, Goyal recalled that it was the same SP founder who had said in the Lok Sabha that he wanted to see Modi get a second term. While addressing a joint rally in Mainpuri on Friday, Mayawati had said, "There is no doubt that he (Mulayam) has joined people from all groups of the society under the SP banner. He does not come from a fake backward community like PM Modi, he is real OBC leader". She also urged the electorates to vote in large numbers for Mulayam who is contesting from Mainpuri seat and ensure his victory. "Mulayam Singh Ji is not a fake servant of the people like Prime Minister Modi, he is a politician who has sworn that he will continue working for the people till his last breath and that is why he is willing to fight again from Mainpuri constituency," Mayawati said. "Nothing can save the incumbent central government from being thrown out of power, the government has come to be known for its capitalistic, narrow-minded policymaking, as well as communal and casteist policies," she added. The remaining 64 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in the next five phases of elections, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Mayawati is frustrated, desperate to do or say anything: Piyush Goyal

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh will be contesting his last election this year. The 79-year-old leader announced his intention at a rally with his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mayawati-hints-at-her-prime-ministerial-ambition-207845">arch-rival Mayawati</a>, who has allied with the SP&nbsp;as part of the Mahagathbandhan in the general elections.&nbsp;

Once bitter enemies, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati shared the stage today after 24 years at the historic Mainpuri rally. Both leaders who were at loggerheads for decades, held a joint rally today in India's biggest state Uttar Pradesh which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

During the rally, Mulayam Singh announced his plan to retire saying he is contesting his last election. Mulayam Singh has been a leader who influenced millions in India's most populated state which has sent several top politicians to parliament including many prime ministers.

It took more than 25 years for both the SP and BSP to join hands once again to stop the BJP juggernaut. In 1995, the then party chiefs - Mulayam and Kanshi Ram - &nbsp;had contested the state assembly elections together and formed the government in the state.

However, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati were unable to see eye-to-eye ever since their alliance came to a sordid end. The SP-BSP alliance of 1993 broke up due to differences between the two leaders.

However, speaking at a historic rally with Mayawati at his side, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav said at Mainpuri that he is happy to share the stage with Mayawati. He said he is grateful for all the support offered by the BSP chief. He appealed to the people of Mainpuri to elect him with a historic mandate.

The bitterness between the two iconic leaders of Indian politics, however, was not so easy to set aside. Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is contesting the parliamentary elections from the party bastion of Mainpuri, had stayed away due to health issues from three joint rallies held earlier in Deoband, Badaun and Agra.

Mayawati bashed the BJP manifesto but also called Congress’s ‘Nyay’ scheme promised in their manifesto an illusion. Appealing to her backward caste voters, Mayawati said: “Mulayam Singh is the real backward leader, not a fake like Narendra Modi.”&nbsp;

Mulayam is known for his outreach among the backward voters of Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;Even during the Modi wave in 2014, the BJP candidate had failed to have an impact in this parliamentary seat. For several elections, BJP didn’t even field their candidates from Mainpuri.&nbsp;

However, Mulayam Singh surprised everyone&nbsp;prior to the general elections this year when he controversially said in Parliament that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should emerge victorious in the 2019 general elections. While his comments were greeted with loud cheers by members of the governing BJP, it left those in his own party scrambling for explanation.

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh will be contesting his last election this year. The 79-year-old leader announced his intention at a rally with his arch-rival Mayawati, who has allied with the SP as part of the Mahagathbandhan in the general elections.

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh will be contesting his last election this year. The 79-year-old leader announced his intention at a rally with his arch-rival Mayawati, who has allied with the SP as part of the Mahagathbandhan in the general elections. Once bitter enemies, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati shared the stage today after 24 years at the historic Mainpuri rally. Both leaders who were at loggerheads for decades, held a joint rally today in India's biggest state Uttar Pradesh which sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. During the rally, Mulayam Singh announced his plan to retire saying he is contesting his last election. Mulayam Singh has been a leader who influenced millions in India's most populated state which has sent several top politicians to parliament including many prime ministers. It took more than 25 years for both the SP and BSP to join hands once again to stop the BJP juggernaut. In 1995, the then party chiefs - Mulayam and Kanshi Ram - had contested the state assembly elections together and formed the government in the state. However, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati were unable to see eye-to-eye ever since their alliance came to a sordid end. The SP-BSP alliance of 1993 broke up due to differences between the two leaders. However, speaking at a historic rally with Mayawati at his side, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav said at Mainpuri that he is happy to share the stage with Mayawati. He said he is grateful for all the support offered by the BSP chief. He appealed to the people of Mainpuri to elect him with a historic mandate. The bitterness between the two iconic leaders of Indian politics, however, was not so easy to set aside. Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is contesting the parliamentary elections from the party bastion of Mainpuri, had stayed away due to health issues from three joint rallies held earlier in Deoband, Badaun and Agra. Mayawati bashed the BJP manifesto but also called Congress’s ‘Nyay’ scheme promised in their manifesto an illusion. Appealing to her backward caste voters, Mayawati said: “Mulayam Singh is the real backward leader, not a fake like Narendra Modi.” Mulayam is known for his outreach among the backward voters of Uttar Pradesh. Even during the Modi wave in 2014, the BJP candidate had failed to have an impact in this parliamentary seat. For several elections, BJP didn’t even field their candidates from Mainpuri. However, Mulayam Singh surprised everyone prior to the general elections this year when he controversially said in Parliament that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should emerge victorious in the 2019 general elections. While his comments were greeted with loud cheers by members of the governing BJP, it left those in his own party scrambling for explanation.

India’s iconic leader Mulayam Singh to contest his last election at Mainpuri

The BJP on Friday took a dig at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mayawati-has-always-supported-our-party-in-times-of-need-mulayam-singh-yadav-211764">SP-BSP grand alliance in the UP</a>, saying a "storm" in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the general election has forced opposition leaders to come together.

The jibe from BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain came as BSP supremo Mayawati and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav shared stage after many years of bitter rivalry.

Though the SP and the BSP had come together last year and the former's president Akhilesh Yadav has often been seen together with Mayawati, this is the first time that Mulayam Singh Yadav joined them.

"This is a proof of storm in Modi's support. Both SP and BSP have been rendered powerless by it and have come together to survive. People in Uttar Pradesh and country are with Modi," Hussain told reporters.

In a swipe at Mayawati, he said she came to respect those whom she blamed for her life's biggest insult.

At the press conference, Hussain also took aim at the Congress after its spokesperson <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/priyanka-chaturvedi-joins-shiv-sena-hours-after-quitting-congress-211766">Priyanka Chaturvedi joined Shiv Sena</a>, saying the opposition party has become a "sinking ship".

Opposition parties are in such a poor shape than nobody knows which leader is supporting whom, said the BJP leader after Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha, who is its candidate in Patna Sahib seat, campaigned for his wife and Samajwadi Party nominee in Lucknow Poonam Sinha.

The BJP on Friday took a dig at the SP-BSP grand alliance in the UP, saying a "storm" in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the general election has forced opposition leaders to come together.

The BJP on Friday took a dig at the SP-BSP grand alliance in the UP, saying a "storm" in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the general election has forced opposition leaders to come together. The jibe from BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain came as BSP supremo Mayawati and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav shared stage after many years of bitter rivalry. Though the SP and the BSP had come together last year and the former's president Akhilesh Yadav has often been seen together with Mayawati, this is the first time that Mulayam Singh Yadav joined them. "This is a proof of storm in Modi's support. Both SP and BSP have been rendered powerless by it and have come together to survive. People in Uttar Pradesh and country are with Modi," Hussain told reporters. In a swipe at Mayawati, he said she came to respect those whom she blamed for her life's biggest insult. At the press conference, Hussain also took aim at the Congress after its spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi joined Shiv Sena, saying the opposition party has become a "sinking ship". Opposition parties are in such a poor shape than nobody knows which leader is supporting whom, said the BJP leader after Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha, who is its candidate in Patna Sahib seat, campaigned for his wife and Samajwadi Party nominee in Lucknow Poonam Sinha.

SP-BSP joint rally proof of storm in Modi's support in Lok Sabha polls: BJP

Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Yadav on Saturday claimed that he has the support of Samajwadi Party veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav and that he is keen to stitch an alliance with the Congress party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. &nbsp;

He told the media, "I know Neta Ji is with me. I have made this party with his permission. But he is attached to the party that he founded. I had requested to be included in the alliance of secular party. I had requested Akhilesh also. We want an alliance with Congress and have spoken to some leaders of the party as well."

This comes after the Samajwadi Party on Friday announced its first batch of six candidates for Uttar Pradesh. The party has fielded Mulayam Singh Yadav from Mainpuri parliamentary constituency.

The Congress released its first list for Lok Sabha polls on Thursday that included contenders for 11 seats in UP, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi from their respective constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi.

Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Yadav on Saturday claimed that he has the support of Samajwadi Party veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav and that he is keen to stitch an alliance with the Congress party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Yadav on Saturday claimed that he has the support of Samajwadi Party veteran Mulayam Singh Yadav and that he is keen to stitch an alliance with the Congress party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He told the media, "I know Neta Ji is with me. I have made this party with his permission. But he is attached to the party that he founded. I had requested to be included in the alliance of secular party. I had requested Akhilesh also. We want an alliance with Congress and have spoken to some leaders of the party as well." This comes after the Samajwadi Party on Friday announced its first batch of six candidates for Uttar Pradesh. The party has fielded Mulayam Singh Yadav from Mainpuri parliamentary constituency. The Congress released its first list for Lok Sabha polls on Thursday that included contenders for 11 seats in UP, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi from their respective constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi.

Mulayam Singh with me, want to form alliance with Congress: Shivapal Yadav

Joining the chorus for a Ram temple, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav says she is in favour of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and has full faith in the judiciary.

Aparna Yadav, who contested the 2017 assembly polls as an SP candidate and lost, is backing 'chacha' (uncle) Shivpal Singh's Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia (PSPL).

"A Ram temple should be built," Aparna said Wednesday during a visit to the Deva Sharif Dargah in Barabanki. 
"I have full faith in process of the respected court," she added.

The Supreme Court has declined an urgent hearing on the Ayodhya land dispute case and said an appropriate bench will decide in January when to hear the politically sensitive case.&nbsp;

According to the Ramayana, Ayodhya is the birthplace of Ram and a temple should be built there, Aparna said.&nbsp;

Asked if she was with the BJP, she said, "I am not with the BJP, but with lord Ram."

Aparna, who is married to Mulayam Singh's son Prateek, said she would be contesting the 2019 elections from the PSPL but her father-in-law's blessings are with her.&nbsp;

Speaking on the SC's decision to move the Ayodhya hearing to January, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said the apex court should fast track the proceedings in the case as "justice delayed can sometimes be called justice denied".

Joining the chorus for a Ram temple, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav says she is in favour of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and has full faith in the judiciary.

Joining the chorus for a Ram temple, Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav says she is in favour of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and has full faith in the judiciary. Aparna Yadav, who contested the 2017 assembly polls as an SP candidate and lost, is backing 'chacha' (uncle) Shivpal Singh's Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia (PSPL). "A Ram temple should be built," Aparna said Wednesday during a visit to the Deva Sharif Dargah in Barabanki. "I have full faith in process of the respected court," she added. The Supreme Court has declined an urgent hearing on the Ayodhya land dispute case and said an appropriate bench will decide in January when to hear the politically sensitive case. According to the Ramayana, Ayodhya is the birthplace of Ram and a temple should be built there, Aparna said. Asked if she was with the BJP, she said, "I am not with the BJP, but with lord Ram." Aparna, who is married to Mulayam Singh's son Prateek, said she would be contesting the 2019 elections from the PSPL but her father-in-law's blessings are with her. Speaking on the SC's decision to move the Ayodhya hearing to January, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said the apex court should fast track the proceedings in the case as "justice delayed can sometimes be called justice denied".

Mulayam's daughter-in-law Aparna backs Ram temple

A few days back, there was a very interesting news piece. In the town Shamli of western UP,&nbsp; two dreaded criminals walked into the office of Police Superintendent and handed over an affidavit stating that they were leaving the crime world once and for all and going forward they would earn their bread with honesty and hard work.

This very clip manifest the changes which are ushering in the largest state of the country ever since Yogi Adityanath took over the reign around 11 months back. For someone like me who was born and brought up in UP, this is news of huge significance.

In 2005, when Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister of Bihar for the&nbsp;first time, my friend from college, who is from Bihar called me and said: &ldquo; we finally have our man, when will you have?&rdquo;.

There is a background to the question asked by my friend. UP and Bihar&nbsp;are two of the largest states in India. Combined together, these two states are 1/4th&nbsp;of India. Regretfully, these are the two states, who paid the hefty price for the political turmoil over the past three decades. Both states were left lurching and in the abysmal state on all indexes of development and human life.

For UP, it was a sorry figure for a state which has spearheaded the political, social and even&nbsp;economic&nbsp;activities of the country since the colonial times.

The process of decline started in 1985 when a few months after Indira Gandhi&rsquo;s assassination, Congress swept the assembly polls in Bihar and UP (with other states as well) with Rajiv Gandhi as the Congress supremo and Prime Minister. Rajiv Gandhi subverted constitutional values in a very big way and state governments were only interested in keeping their master happy. In UP and Bihar, Congress governments were jaded and with pathetic or say nil governance. The game of musical chair for chief ministership was on as Rajiv Gandhi was sacking and appointing them&nbsp;on&nbsp;his whims. The result, Congress lost base rapidly and voters alienated with Congress.

1990 was one plummeted steeply in the five years during 1985-90, lost its total voter base in UP and Bihar. In UP, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Kanshiram made most of this situation and UP just got entrapped in caste-based politics with clear compartments of votes.

In UP, the deterioration was thick and fast in the new millennium. Mayawati had some hold on the governance during 2007-2012 but transparency was completely missing, financial irregularities were pervasive, and BSP cadre was busy in the organised loot from top to bottom.

But it was the rule of Samajwadi Party during 2003-07 and 2012-17, which hit UP the most. Corruption was rife and so was nepotism. Criminals got brazen political protection. As the epitome of worst of cast appeasement, each and every institution like Police, Public Service Commission, Public Works Department, etc, were disrupted and were flooded with people of just one caste. Once a transporter told his plight to me that how goons backed by political dispensation were robbing their fleets and drivers with sheer impunity. The corruption was at an unthinkable peak. A few years back, during the discussion with one supplier who used to supply consumables to UP&rsquo;s health department, it came out that he had to dole out Rs. 55,000 to babus and brokers for a billing of Rs. 1 Lakh. You can imagine what stuff a supplier would deliver after paying a 55% commission. This will also throw some light that how so many kids died in Gorakhpur Medical College a few months back.

The sign of revival was palpable, soon after Yogi took the reign in March 2017. He first attacked the UP&rsquo;s road, which was full of potholes. Then he came hard on illegal butcheries, which were an absolute menace and polluting environment in a big way (liberals ranted though on this and tried to give this a communal twist).

But Yogi&rsquo;s crackdown on criminals is his biggest achievement. Liberals are again ranting on possible human right&rsquo;s violation by Police but these liberals have little idea that how deep-rooted the problem of crimes is in UP. It warrants radical steps and Yogi is just doing that. It needs the shock therapy, which Yogi is providing.

Yogi is the man of action and his actions are decisive and bold. He recently cracked down on blatant cheating in UP Board examinations. To my surprise, I read a piece by a famous liberal, wherein Yogi was criticised that how Yogi is ruthless on cheaters and playing with the future of youth.

His investor summit in Lucknow has been encouraging on the first day itself on 21st&nbsp;Feb 2018. Narendra Modi who is the originator of this very Idea with his &ldquo;Vibrant Gujarat&rdquo; initiatives when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat himself was present and presided over.

So, finally, UP has its man, bit late albeit. Yogi has shown the glimpse that he can reinstate the lost glory of the largest state of the country.

Last but not the least, as UP send almost 15% of representative in the Lok Sabha, he is all important man for Modi and BJP as well in its run up to 2019. For the second term of Modi, UP would again play a decisive role and Yogi has the onus to deliver it, which he will.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Since Yogi Adityanath took the reign in March 2017, he has shown that he can reinstate the lost glory of the largest state of the country.

A few days back, there was a very interesting news piece. In the town Shamli of western UP, two dreaded criminals walked into the office of Police Superintendent and handed over an affidavit stating that they were leaving the crime world once and for all and going forward they would earn their bread with honesty and hard work. This very clip manifest the changes which are ushering in the largest state of the country ever since Yogi Adityanath took over the reign around 11 months back. For someone like me who was born and brought up in UP, this is news of huge significance. In 2005, when Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time, my friend from college, who is from Bihar called me and said: “ we finally have our man, when will you have?”. There is a background to the question asked by my friend. UP and Bihar are two of the largest states in India. Combined together, these two states are 1/4th of India. Regretfully, these are the two states, who paid the hefty price for the political turmoil over the past three decades. Both states were left lurching and in the abysmal state on all indexes of development and human life. For UP, it was a sorry figure for a state which has spearheaded the political, social and even economic activities of the country since the colonial times. The process of decline started in 1985 when a few months after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Congress swept the assembly polls in Bihar and UP (with other states as well) with Rajiv Gandhi as the Congress supremo and Prime Minister. Rajiv Gandhi subverted constitutional values in a very big way and state governments were only interested in keeping their master happy. In UP and Bihar, Congress governments were jaded and with pathetic or say nil governance. The game of musical chair for chief ministership was on as Rajiv Gandhi was sacking and appointing them on his whims. The result, Congress lost base rapidly and voters alienated with Congress. 1990 was one plummeted steeply in the five years during 1985-90, lost its total voter base in UP and Bihar. In UP, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Kanshiram made most of this situation and UP just got entrapped in caste-based politics with clear compartments of votes. In UP, the deterioration was thick and fast in the new millennium. Mayawati had some hold on the governance during 2007-2012 but transparency was completely missing, financial irregularities were pervasive, and BSP cadre was busy in the organised loot from top to bottom. But it was the rule of Samajwadi Party during 2003-07 and 2012-17, which hit UP the most. Corruption was rife and so was nepotism. Criminals got brazen political protection. As the epitome of worst of cast appeasement, each and every institution like Police, Public Service Commission, Public Works Department, etc, were disrupted and were flooded with people of just one caste. Once a transporter told his plight to me that how goons backed by political dispensation were robbing their fleets and drivers with sheer impunity. The corruption was at an unthinkable peak. A few years back, during the discussion with one supplier who used to supply consumables to UP’s health department, it came out that he had to dole out Rs. 55,000 to babus and brokers for a billing of Rs. 1 Lakh. You can imagine what stuff a supplier would deliver after paying a 55% commission. This will also throw some light that how so many kids died in Gorakhpur Medical College a few months back. The sign of revival was palpable, soon after Yogi took the reign in March 2017. He first attacked the UP’s road, which was full of potholes. Then he came hard on illegal butcheries, which were an absolute menace and polluting environment in a big way (liberals ranted though on this and tried to give this a communal twist). But Yogi’s crackdown on criminals is his biggest achievement. Liberals are again ranting on possible human right’s violation by Police but these liberals have little idea that how deep-rooted the problem of crimes is in UP. It warrants radical steps and Yogi is just doing that. It needs the shock therapy, which Yogi is providing. Yogi is the man of action and his actions are decisive and bold. He recently cracked down on blatant cheating in UP Board examinations. To my surprise, I read a piece by a famous liberal, wherein Yogi was criticised that how Yogi is ruthless on cheaters and playing with the future of youth. His investor summit in Lucknow has been encouraging on the first day itself on 21st Feb 2018. Narendra Modi who is the originator of this very Idea with his “Vibrant Gujarat” initiatives when he was Chief Minister of Gujarat himself was present and presided over. So, finally, UP has its man, bit late albeit. Yogi has shown the glimpse that he can reinstate the lost glory of the largest state of the country. Last but not the least, as UP send almost 15% of representative in the Lok Sabha, he is all important man for Modi and BJP as well in its run up to 2019. For the second term of Modi, UP would again play a decisive role and Yogi has the onus to deliver it, which he will. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Yogi Adityanath is the man to root out crime in UP

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday criticised his son Akhilesh Yadav, also taking took potshots at the ruling Uttar Pradesh and central government on issues such as petrol prices, BHU molestation case and farmer loan waivers.

He&nbsp;expressed disapproval of the decisions taken by his son and current Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh.

Asked about Akhilesh&rsquo;s comment that he has the blessings of his father, Mulayam said, &ldquo;Yes as my son he has my blessings, but I do not agree with the decisions taken by him. What are those decisions is something I will talk about in the coming days.&quot;

Mulayam Singh also urged the opposition to unite against the BJP.

He criticised the chief minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh saying, &ldquo;All the promises made by Yogi government on the power situation have failed.&quot;

Ahead of the conference, there were speculations that Mulayam will announce his own party. However, he clearly refused any such claims and declared that he will not be forming his own party anytime&nbsp;soon but will make other important announcements in the near future.

&quot;The situation of farmers has only gotten worse. Farmers have been sufferers under the Yogi government in the state as well as the Modi government at the Centre,&rdquo; Mulayam Singh said.

He also mentioned that crime rates have risen and girls are not safe in Banaras Hindu University.

He also appealed to the government to list petrol under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to reduce the fuel prices in the country.

 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Samajwadi Party patriarch also urged the opposition to unite against the BJP

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday criticised his son Akhilesh Yadav, also taking took potshots at the ruling Uttar Pradesh and central government on issues such as petrol prices, BHU molestation case and farmer loan waivers. He expressed disapproval of the decisions taken by his son and current Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh. Asked about Akhilesh’s comment that he has the blessings of his father, Mulayam said, “Yes as my son he has my blessings, but I do not agree with the decisions taken by him. What are those decisions is something I will talk about in the coming days." Mulayam Singh also urged the opposition to unite against the BJP. He criticised the chief minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh saying, “All the promises made by Yogi government on the power situation have failed." Ahead of the conference, there were speculations that Mulayam will announce his own party. However, he clearly refused any such claims and declared that he will not be forming his own party anytime soon but will make other important announcements in the near future. "The situation of farmers has only gotten worse. Farmers have been sufferers under the Yogi government in the state as well as the Modi government at the Centre,” Mulayam Singh said. He also mentioned that crime rates have risen and girls are not safe in Banaras Hindu University. He also appealed to the government to list petrol under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to reduce the fuel prices in the country.

SP leader Mulayam Singh denies plans of forming own party

In the wake of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath&#39;s emphasis on eliminating VIP culture from Uttar Pradesh, an inspection conducted by a team of electricity officials revealed that former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has unpaid electricity bills worth Rs 4 lakh.

The team upon arriving at his residence found that the permissible limit of 5 kW a day was being busted by as many as eight times. He has been given a time period till the end of the month to pay up.

The Samajwadi Party&nbsp;patriarch&#39;s sprawling residence in the Civil Lines area of his constituency Etawah is one of the biggest in the city with more than a dozen rooms, its own air-conditioning plant, a temperature-controlled swimming pool and several elevators.

Officials had changed the configurations to allow him 40 kW against a payment in lieu of the additional power supply.&nbsp;

(ANI)&nbsp;

An inspection conducted by electricity officials revealed he used 40 kW a day, when the permissible limit is 5 kW

In the wake of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath's emphasis on eliminating VIP culture from Uttar Pradesh, an inspection conducted by a team of electricity officials revealed that former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has unpaid electricity bills worth Rs 4 lakh. The team upon arriving at his residence found that the permissible limit of 5 kW a day was being busted by as many as eight times. He has been given a time period till the end of the month to pay up. The Samajwadi Party patriarch's sprawling residence in the Civil Lines area of his constituency Etawah is one of the biggest in the city with more than a dozen rooms, its own air-conditioning plant, a temperature-controlled swimming pool and several elevators. Officials had changed the configurations to allow him 40 kW against a payment in lieu of the additional power supply. (ANI)

Mulayam Singh Yadav used electricity 8 times above limit, has unpaid bills of Rs 4 lakh: Adityanath govt

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has said there will be a Congress-SP alliance in the upcoming UP elections. There are also reports of a grand alliance of the Samajwadi Party, Congress, RLD and JD(U) &nbsp;for the high-stakes poll.

Azad&#39;s colleague, Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, had earlier said that she would withdraw as the Congress&#39; chief ministerial candidate if her party enters into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress is yet to officially announce the SP alliance and seat-sharing agreement although an announcement is expected soon.&nbsp;

The development comes after the Election Commission had on Monday granted the disputed &#39;cycle&#39; symbol of the Samajwadi Party to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. In a major setback to Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Election Commission declared the group led by Akhilesh Yadav to&nbsp;be&nbsp;the Samajwadi Party,&nbsp;entitled to use the &#39;bicycle&#39; symbol. It also acknowledged Akhilesh Yadav as the national president of the Samajwadi Party.

Meanwhile, the poll process for assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh is set to begin today with notification for the first phase of voting scheduled on February 11. As many as seventy-three constituencies in western Uttar Pradesh will vote in this phase.

The districts going to polls in the first phase are Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras, Agra, Firozabad, Etah and Kasganj. Uttar Pradesh will have seven-phase polling between February 11 and March 8.

(WION with Agency inputs) 
&nbsp;

There are also reports of a grand alliance between the Samajwadi Party, Congress, RLD and JD(U)

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has said there will be a Congress-SP alliance in the upcoming UP elections. There are also reports of a grand alliance of the Samajwadi Party, Congress, RLD and JD(U) for the high-stakes poll. Azad's colleague, Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, had earlier said that she would withdraw as the Congress' chief ministerial candidate if her party enters into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress is yet to officially announce the SP alliance and seat-sharing agreement although an announcement is expected soon. The development comes after the Election Commission had on Monday granted the disputed 'cycle' symbol of the Samajwadi Party to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. In a major setback to Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Election Commission declared the group led by Akhilesh Yadav to be the Samajwadi Party, entitled to use the 'bicycle' symbol. It also acknowledged Akhilesh Yadav as the national president of the Samajwadi Party. Meanwhile, the poll process for assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh is set to begin today with notification for the first phase of voting scheduled on February 11. As many as seventy-three constituencies in western Uttar Pradesh will vote in this phase. The districts going to polls in the first phase are Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras, Agra, Firozabad, Etah and Kasganj. Uttar Pradesh will have seven-phase polling between February 11 and March 8. (WION with Agency inputs)

UP election: Congress & SP will fight UP polls together, says Azad

Hours after Samajwadi Party (SP) de facto leader Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi held their first joint press conference, SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav said will not campaign for the party.

Mulayam Singh, who had resolved an inter-party feud with son Akhilesh over the distribution of seats this month, told ANI on Sunday he was against the alliance.

&quot;I will not go anywhere to campaign for this (SP-Congress) alliance. SP was capable enough to contest and win elections alone, there was no need for the alliance. I am against this alliance,&quot; the SP founder told ANI.

He seemed to be upset over the SP conceding 105 seats to the Congress, saying he was concerned about the political fate of party leaders who had lost their seats as a part of the alliance deal.

&quot;Our party leaders whose tickets have been cut, what will they do? They have lost their chance to contest elections for the next five years,&quot; Mulayam Singh Yadav said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed their first joint conference after an alliance between their parties for the high-stakes state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. The two leaders launched the campaign with the&nbsp;tagline&nbsp;&quot;UP favours this alliance (UP ko ye saath pasand hai).&quot; The press conference was followed by a road show in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow.

The two leaders displayed a show of solidarity, with Rahul Gandhi claiming that their relationship was not just political but also a personal one. The Congress vice-president had also called Akhilesh a &quot;good boy&quot; who wasn&#39;t &quot;allowed to work&quot;.

&quot;We are like two wheels of the same cycle - one of progress and one of prosperity. Cycle and hand is a great combination,&quot; Akhilesh had said.

Rahul Gandhi had also refused to reveal whether his mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi or Mulayam Singh would campaign for the alliance, saying that campaign strategy would be divulged.

&quot;If we reveal anything now,&nbsp;no suspense will remain,&quot; Akhilesh had said when asked about the seat-sharing in the constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi, earlier a point of contention between the two parties. 
 
(WION with inputs from ANI)

The Samajwadi Party patriarch's remarks come soon after Akhilesh Yadav's joint press conference and show of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi

Hours after Samajwadi Party (SP) de facto leader Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi held their first joint press conference, SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav said will not campaign for the party. Mulayam Singh, who had resolved an inter-party feud with son Akhilesh over the distribution of seats this month, told ANI on Sunday he was against the alliance. "I will not go anywhere to campaign for this (SP-Congress) alliance. SP was capable enough to contest and win elections alone, there was no need for the alliance. I am against this alliance," the SP founder told ANI. He seemed to be upset over the SP conceding 105 seats to the Congress, saying he was concerned about the political fate of party leaders who had lost their seats as a part of the alliance deal. "Our party leaders whose tickets have been cut, what will they do? They have lost their chance to contest elections for the next five years," Mulayam Singh Yadav said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed their first joint conference after an alliance between their parties for the high-stakes state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. The two leaders launched the campaign with the tagline "UP favours this alliance (UP ko ye saath pasand hai)." The press conference was followed by a road show in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow. The two leaders displayed a show of solidarity, with Rahul Gandhi claiming that their relationship was not just political but also a personal one. The Congress vice-president had also called Akhilesh a "good boy" who wasn't "allowed to work". "We are like two wheels of the same cycle - one of progress and one of prosperity. Cycle and hand is a great combination," Akhilesh had said. Rahul Gandhi had also refused to reveal whether his mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi or Mulayam Singh would campaign for the alliance, saying that campaign strategy would be divulged. "If we reveal anything now, no suspense will remain," Akhilesh had said when asked about the seat-sharing in the constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi, earlier a point of contention between the two parties. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Against Congress-SP alliance, won't campaign for them: Mulayam Singh

By Anuradha Mukherjee

The family bickering in the&nbsp;ruling&nbsp;Samajwadi Party (SP)&nbsp;has put a spanner&nbsp;in the plans to form a coalition with the Congress party&nbsp;and&nbsp;Rashtriya&nbsp;Lok Dal&nbsp;in&nbsp;India&#39;s&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;(UP)&nbsp;for the&nbsp;state&nbsp;assembly polls.&nbsp;Those&nbsp;in the know, however, say it&nbsp;all depends on the&nbsp;Election Commission&#39;s verdict on whether it&#39;s advantage&nbsp;Akhilesh&nbsp;Yadav, current chief minister of UP, or the wily trio&nbsp;of his father,&nbsp;Mulayam Singh Yadav, uncle&nbsp;Shivpal&nbsp;Yadav and party leader Amar Singh.&nbsp;

&quot;The internal fight in SP needs to be sorted out&nbsp;first&nbsp;before talk about the two parties coming together can be&nbsp;formalised. Everybody in SP and Congress can see the truth&nbsp;--&nbsp;Akhilesh&nbsp;Yadav is the winning candidate&nbsp;-- except for&nbsp;his father&nbsp;Mulayam Singh Yadav, Amar Singh (SP leader) and&nbsp;Akhilesh&#39;s&nbsp;uncle,&nbsp;Shivpal&nbsp;Yadav,&quot; said a&nbsp;Congress politician, who did not want to be named.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hoardings with photographs of&nbsp;Akhilesh&#39;s&nbsp;wife, Dimple Yadav, and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi&#39;s sister, Priyanka Gandhi&nbsp;Vadra, have come&nbsp;up&nbsp;in some parts of the state, stoking hopes of the coalition.&nbsp;

Mulayam Singh Yadav&nbsp;founded SP and was its&nbsp;president&nbsp;before his authority was challenged and virtually upended by his son,&nbsp;Akhilesh&nbsp;Yadav, the current chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP)&nbsp;in a&nbsp;bitter&nbsp;family&nbsp;rivalry that is threatening to split the party in the middle.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Akhilesh&nbsp;has&nbsp;claimed majority support&nbsp;among&nbsp;SP&nbsp;legislators and has staked claim to the party&nbsp;chief&#39;s position and election symbol, the bicycle, failing which he is expected to float his own party.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;Ajit&nbsp;Singh&#39;s&nbsp;Rashtriya&nbsp;Lok Dal&nbsp;is also with us &ndash; so we are assured of about 20 per cent of the votes&nbsp;from&nbsp;the rural&nbsp;Jat&nbsp;community that forms&nbsp;his&nbsp;voter base,&quot; the&nbsp;Congress&nbsp;politician added.&nbsp;Singh is an influential politician in western UP that is often referred to as the&nbsp;Jat&nbsp;belt&nbsp;due to the dominant presence of the largely agrarian community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Discussions about a secular joint front to contain&nbsp;the&nbsp;Bharatiya&nbsp;Janata Party&#39;s ambitions of forming a government in the state have been on for a while at the &quot;highest levels in SP and Congress&quot;&nbsp;with reports of a joint campaign being launched by&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi,&nbsp;Priyanka Gandhi&nbsp;Vadra, along with&nbsp;Akhilesh&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dimple, doing the rounds for a couple of months.&nbsp;

The group led by Mulayam Singh Yadav, however, is&nbsp;perceived&nbsp;to be more inclined to the BJP and averse to an open arrangement with the Congress.&nbsp;

&quot;Right now our main focus is on maintaining a united front as far as the party is&nbsp;concerned,&quot; said&nbsp;a Samajwadi Party (SP) functionary considered close to&nbsp;Mulayam Singh Yadav, refusing to comment on any truck with the Congress.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both groups are now waiting for the EC&#39;s decision on the party&#39;s election symbol.&nbsp;

&quot;Akhilesh&nbsp;may not get the bicycle symbol as it is contested. He may not even get the &#39;motorcycle&#39; symbol as it is already&nbsp;allotted&nbsp;to a party from south India.&nbsp;But this will not be a setback for&nbsp;him,&quot; said&nbsp;the Congress politician.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Mulayam Singh Yadav and&nbsp;Akhilesh&nbsp;Yadav&nbsp;had&nbsp;both declared their versions of the party&#39;s list of candidates&nbsp;for the 403-seat UP assembly. Both groups have taken the fight to India&#39;s Election Commission that will give a ruling on the party symbol and leadership&nbsp;soon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Congress party&#39;s political fortune had been flagging of late and it&nbsp;has been hopeful of a coalition with SP&nbsp;that&nbsp;is in power in&nbsp;UP,&nbsp;India&#39;s most populous&nbsp;state,&nbsp;that&nbsp;is&nbsp;considered key to dominating the national&nbsp;Parliament.&nbsp;

Although a regional election,&nbsp;UP is crucial even for national players like the BJP and Congress&nbsp;as the number of constituencies&nbsp;any party rules in&nbsp;the state,&nbsp;home to 204&nbsp;million, has a bearing on the number of seats&nbsp;allotted&nbsp;to it at least in the Upper House of Indian Parliament or the&nbsp;Rajya&nbsp;Sabha.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;BJP&nbsp;notched up 71 out of 80 Lok Sabha, or Lower House seats, in the Indian national elections held in 2014 &ndash; giving it an&nbsp;undeniable edge in the upcoming polls.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;Bahujan&nbsp;Samaj&nbsp;Party (BSP) led by former chief minister&nbsp;Mayawati&nbsp;also remains a crucial factor. Before the emergence of the BJP in the 2014 elections, the BSP &nbsp;was&nbsp;considered the only option to SP in Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

&quot;If the coalition comes through &ndash; we can contain&nbsp;Mayawati&nbsp;to 60-70 seats,&quot; hoped the Congress man.&nbsp;

(WION)

The election commission is expected to soon deliver its verdict on who the Samajwadi Party president is, and who gets its symbol

By Anuradha Mukherjee The family bickering in the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) has put a spanner in the plans to form a coalition with the Congress party and Rashtriya Lok Dal in India's Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the state assembly polls. Those in the know, however, say it all depends on the Election Commission's verdict on whether it's advantage Akhilesh Yadav, current chief minister of UP, or the wily trio of his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, uncle Shivpal Yadav and party leader Amar Singh. "The internal fight in SP needs to be sorted out first before talk about the two parties coming together can be formalised. Everybody in SP and Congress can see the truth -- Akhilesh Yadav is the winning candidate -- except for his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, Amar Singh (SP leader) and Akhilesh's uncle, Shivpal Yadav," said a Congress politician, who did not want to be named. Hoardings with photographs of Akhilesh's wife, Dimple Yadav, and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have come up in some parts of the state, stoking hopes of the coalition. Mulayam Singh Yadav founded SP and was its president before his authority was challenged and virtually upended by his son, Akhilesh Yadav, the current chief minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in a bitter family rivalry that is threatening to split the party in the middle. Akhilesh has claimed majority support among SP legislators and has staked claim to the party chief's position and election symbol, the bicycle, failing which he is expected to float his own party. "Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal is also with us – so we are assured of about 20 per cent of the votes from the rural Jat community that forms his voter base," the Congress politician added. Singh is an influential politician in western UP that is often referred to as the Jat belt due to the dominant presence of the largely agrarian community. Discussions about a secular joint front to contain the Bharatiya Janata Party's ambitions of forming a government in the state have been on for a while at the "highest levels in SP and Congress" with reports of a joint campaign being launched by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Akhilesh and Dimple, doing the rounds for a couple of months. The group led by Mulayam Singh Yadav, however, is perceived to be more inclined to the BJP and averse to an open arrangement with the Congress. "Right now our main focus is on maintaining a united front as far as the party is concerned," said a Samajwadi Party (SP) functionary considered close to Mulayam Singh Yadav, refusing to comment on any truck with the Congress. Both groups are now waiting for the EC's decision on the party's election symbol. "Akhilesh may not get the bicycle symbol as it is contested. He may not even get the 'motorcycle' symbol as it is already allotted to a party from south India. But this will not be a setback for him," said the Congress politician. Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav had both declared their versions of the party's list of candidates for the 403-seat UP assembly. Both groups have taken the fight to India's Election Commission that will give a ruling on the party symbol and leadership soon. The Congress party's political fortune had been flagging of late and it has been hopeful of a coalition with SP that is in power in UP, India's most populous state, that is considered key to dominating the national Parliament. Although a regional election, UP is crucial even for national players like the BJP and Congress as the number of constituencies any party rules in the state, home to 204 million, has a bearing on the number of seats allotted to it at least in the Upper House of Indian Parliament or the Rajya Sabha. The BJP notched up 71 out of 80 Lok Sabha, or Lower House seats, in the Indian national elections held in 2014 – giving it an undeniable edge in the upcoming polls. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by former chief minister Mayawati also remains a crucial factor. Before the emergence of the BJP in the 2014 elections, the BSP was considered the only option to SP in Uttar Pradesh. "If the coalition comes through – we can contain Mayawati to 60-70 seats," hoped the Congress man. (WION)

UP elections: Poll alliances will come after EC verdict on SP leadership, symbol

Reconciliation efforts in the Yadav clan seem to be gaining pace, with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav meeting his father and Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday.

After a ninety minute long meeting between the two on Tuesday morning, Mulayam Singh assured that his son, Akhilesh Yadav will be the chief ministerial face of the party in the upcoming state assembly election.

&ldquo;For the benefit of the entire state, our party stands united. There is no question of any division whatsoever&hellip; we will begin campaigning soon. Akhilesh will be the next chief minister, there is no doubt about that,&rdquo; he said.

According to sources in the Mulayam camp, the SP patriarch reportedly maintained that he will remain the party`s national president.

He has also urged Akhilesh to withdraw the letter he had sent to the Election Commission (EC) claiming support of 212 out of 229 MLAs.

Mulayam Singh`s confidante Shivpal Yadav and close aide Amar Singh were not present at the meeting, reports ANI.&nbsp;

The SP has been battling a damaging power struggle between Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal, the younger brother of Mulayam, for months.

Matters came to a head on the New Year&rsquo;s Day when Akhilesh ousted Mulayam to take over as the SP chief at an &ldquo;emergency party meeting&rdquo; called by Ramgopal.&nbsp;

On Monday, Ramgopal asked the poll panel to expedite the verification of the affidavits of support submitted by their camp so that a decision on the party symbol could be taken at the earliest.

The two leaders had separate meetings with the EC over who should be awarded the party&rsquo;s cycle symbol.&nbsp;

The EC is yet to pronounce its ruling.

The state of Uttar Pradesh goes to polls on February 11, in a seven-phase election that concludes on March 8.&nbsp;

The SP is hoping to retain power in what is likely to be a fiercely contested election come February. 
&nbsp;

Mulayam Singh has urged Akhilesh to withdraw the letter he had sent to the Election Commission (EC) claiming support of 212 out of 229 MLAs

Reconciliation efforts in the Yadav clan seem to be gaining pace, with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav meeting his father and Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Tuesday. After a ninety minute long meeting between the two on Tuesday morning, Mulayam Singh assured that his son, Akhilesh Yadav will be the chief ministerial face of the party in the upcoming state assembly election. “For the benefit of the entire state, our party stands united. There is no question of any division whatsoever… we will begin campaigning soon. Akhilesh will be the next chief minister, there is no doubt about that,” he said. According to sources in the Mulayam camp, the SP patriarch reportedly maintained that he will remain the party`s national president. He has also urged Akhilesh to withdraw the letter he had sent to the Election Commission (EC) claiming support of 212 out of 229 MLAs. Mulayam Singh`s confidante Shivpal Yadav and close aide Amar Singh were not present at the meeting, reports ANI. The SP has been battling a damaging power struggle between Akhilesh and his uncle Shivpal, the younger brother of Mulayam, for months. Matters came to a head on the New Year’s Day when Akhilesh ousted Mulayam to take over as the SP chief at an “emergency party meeting” called by Ramgopal. On Monday, Ramgopal asked the poll panel to expedite the verification of the affidavits of support submitted by their camp so that a decision on the party symbol could be taken at the earliest. The two leaders had separate meetings with the EC over who should be awarded the party’s cycle symbol. The EC is yet to pronounce its ruling. The state of Uttar Pradesh goes to polls on February 11, in a seven-phase election that concludes on March 8. The SP is hoping to retain power in what is likely to be a fiercely contested election come February.

Akhilesh will be the face of CM for Uttar Pradesh elections, 2017: Mulayam Singh Yadav

Amid reports of a deadlock between the warring factions in Uttar Pradesh&#39;s ruling Samajwadi Party (SP), the party&#39;s patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav&nbsp;held his ground today, reiterating that he was president of the party and his son Akhilesh was the chief minister of the state. 
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I am Samajwadi party chief and Akhilesh Yadav is the Chief Minister UP, Shivpal Yadav is the state President: Mulayam Singh Yadav <a href="https://t.co/prceqFQraC">pic.twitter.com/prceqFQraC</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/818074043500740608">January 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was removed from the post of party&#39;s national president by his son Akhilesh and his supporters in a party convention, was addressing the press in national capital New Delhi.

He also said that&nbsp;Ramgopal Yadav, who had been expelled by him for six years, had no authority to&nbsp;call the party convention. 
 
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Ramgopal Yadav expelled for six years, can&#39;t call party convention says Mulayam Singh Yadav <a href="https://t.co/IJWrWglPWN">pic.twitter.com/IJWrWglPWN</a>
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The SP patriarch is expected to meet officials of the Election Commission tomorrow for staking claim to the party&#39;s &#39;cycle&#39; symbol.

Earlier, at a meeting with party workers at the SP headquarters in Lucknow earlier in the day, Mulayam Singh Yadav denied that that there was any ongoing tussle within the party, PTI reported.

&quot;There is no dispute in our party&quot; (Hamari party me koi vivad nahi hai),&quot; the SP leader said after he met party workers with his brother Shivpal Singh.

The Mulayam camp is likely to submit its set of affidavits tomorrow, the deadline set by the EC for both the sides to submit documents before it decides on which side to be allotted the &#39;cycle&#39; symbol. Both factions have staked their claim to the symbol after the split on January 3.

The Akhilesh faction on Saturday submitted to the EC affidavits in which it claimed to have signatures of &quot;90 per cent&quot; of SP legislators and delegates, including over 200 of the 229 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

Mulayam Singh&#39;s cousin Ramgopal Yadav, who has sided with Akhilesh in the dispute, claimed that the &quot;Real SP&quot; had submitted proofs along with the affidavits to Election Commission and sent it to Mulayam Singh too but he didn&#39;t receive them.&nbsp;

Ramgopal said that relevant documents, brought in &quot;seven cartons with more than 1.5 lakh pages&quot;, were submitted to the poll panel to assert Akhilesh&#39;s right over the party name and symbol. He said that he submitted affidavits of 4,716 delegates of the total 5,731, which indicated overwhelming support for Akhilesh, ANI reported.

SP leader Naresh Uttam, appointed state chief by the Akhilesh Yadav faction said the party would contest the polls under his leadership.

&quot;Akhileshji is our national president and we will contest polls under him. He was made president at national convention.&quot;&nbsp;

Signatures of support to Akhilesh forged: Amar Singh

Meanwhile, SP leader and Rajya Sabha MP (Member of Parliament) Amar Singh on Sunday claimed that the signatures of support to Akhilesh Yadav were forged and that their authenticity was doubtful.

&quot;The numbers of MLAs supporting you matters when a government has to be formed. It&#39;s not the same for party symbol,&quot; Singh told ANI&nbsp;

He confirmed that the Mulayam Singh faction would stake claim to the party&#39;s name and symbol tomorrow.

&quot;We will visit the Election Commission on Monday and will give our memorandum. We will submit the list of old office bearers appointed before 1st of January,&quot; the SP leader said.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
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The SP patriarch said Ramgopal Yadav had no authority to?call the party convention in which he was ousted from the post of party president

Amid reports of a deadlock between the warring factions in Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party (SP), the party's patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav held his ground today, reiterating that he was president of the party and his son Akhilesh was the chief minister of the state. I am Samajwadi party chief and Akhilesh Yadav is the Chief Minister UP, Shivpal Yadav is the state President: Mulayam Singh Yadav pic.twitter.com/prceqFQraC — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 8, 2017 × Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was removed from the post of party's national president by his son Akhilesh and his supporters in a party convention, was addressing the press in national capital New Delhi. He also said that Ramgopal Yadav, who had been expelled by him for six years, had no authority to call the party convention. Ramgopal Yadav expelled for six years, can't call party convention says Mulayam Singh Yadav pic.twitter.com/IJWrWglPWN — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 8, 2017 × The SP patriarch is expected to meet officials of the Election Commission tomorrow for staking claim to the party's 'cycle' symbol. Earlier, at a meeting with party workers at the SP headquarters in Lucknow earlier in the day, Mulayam Singh Yadav denied that that there was any ongoing tussle within the party, PTI reported. "There is no dispute in our party" (Hamari party me koi vivad nahi hai)," the SP leader said after he met party workers with his brother Shivpal Singh. The Mulayam camp is likely to submit its set of affidavits tomorrow, the deadline set by the EC for both the sides to submit documents before it decides on which side to be allotted the 'cycle' symbol. Both factions have staked their claim to the symbol after the split on January 3. The Akhilesh faction on Saturday submitted to the EC affidavits in which it claimed to have signatures of "90 per cent" of SP legislators and delegates, including over 200 of the 229 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Mulayam Singh's cousin Ramgopal Yadav, who has sided with Akhilesh in the dispute, claimed that the "Real SP" had submitted proofs along with the affidavits to Election Commission and sent it to Mulayam Singh too but he didn't receive them. Ramgopal said that relevant documents, brought in "seven cartons with more than 1.5 lakh pages", were submitted to the poll panel to assert Akhilesh's right over the party name and symbol. He said that he submitted affidavits of 4,716 delegates of the total 5,731, which indicated overwhelming support for Akhilesh, ANI reported. SP leader Naresh Uttam, appointed state chief by the Akhilesh Yadav faction said the party would contest the polls under his leadership. "Akhileshji is our national president and we will contest polls under him. He was made president at national convention." Signatures of support to Akhilesh forged: Amar Singh Meanwhile, SP leader and Rajya Sabha MP (Member of Parliament) Amar Singh on Sunday claimed that the signatures of support to Akhilesh Yadav were forged and that their authenticity was doubtful. "The numbers of MLAs supporting you matters when a government has to be formed. It's not the same for party symbol," Singh told ANI He confirmed that the Mulayam Singh faction would stake claim to the party's name and symbol tomorrow. "We will visit the Election Commission on Monday and will give our memorandum. We will submit the list of old office bearers appointed before 1st of January," the SP leader said. (WION with inputs from agencies)

'I am Samajwadi party chief and Akhilesh Yadav is the chief minister', Mulayam Singh says

Chief minister of India&#39;s largest state Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, and his uncle Ramgopal Yadav have been taken back in&nbsp;the Samajwadi Party, a day after they were expelled.

SP state unit chief Shivapal Yadav wrote on Twitter that SP general secretary Mulayam Singh Yadav, called &#39;Netaji&#39; by his followers, revoked the suspension with immediate effect and that the previously warring factions would fight the upcoming state elections together.

&quot;We are united,&quot; said Shivpal Yadav, who is the brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav.

He also tweeted that Mulayam and his son Akhilesh would jointly prepare the list of election candidates.

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Netaji ke aadesh ke anusar Akhilesh Yadav aur Ram Gopal Yadav ka party se nishkashan tatkal prabhav se samapt kiya jata hai: Shivpal Yadav
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Ram Gopal cancelled his National executive prog and Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav will sit together to make a list: Shivpal Yadav <a href="https://t.co/TZlLHFlnFi">pic.twitter.com/TZlLHFlnFi</a>
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He also said the SP would &quot;fight unitedly against communal forces&quot; in the elections.

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The decision was taken soon after Akhilesh met his father at the senior Yadav&#39;s 5 Vikramaditya Marg residence in the state capital Lucknow.

Earlier in the day, Mulayam called a meeting of all 393 candidates announced by him to contest next assembly election. Akhilesh, too, convened a meeting of MLAs as a showdown against his father to establish that the majority of Samajwadi Party MLAs are with him, ANI reported. But Akhilesh left his meeting midway to meet his father Mulayam Singh with party leader Azam Khan and Abu Azmi.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad also tried to bring the warring groups together by speaking to Mulayam Singh to broker peace, PTI reported. Lalu reportedly called up Mulayam, who happens to be his relative too, to ensure that the feuding leaders buried the hatchet.

Yesterday Mulayam had expelled his cousin and&nbsp;senior party functionary Ramgopal Yadav&nbsp;and Akhilesh for six years. 
 
The surprise move came after Akhilesh &quot;circulated&quot; his own list of 235 candidates for the upcoming state elections parallel to the party&#39;s official list of 393 nominees. A day prior to that, Mulayam Singh had released a list of election candidate without consulting Akhilesh, and refused to name his son as the chief ministerial candidate. Mulayam had also excluded people who were believed to be close to Akhilesh.&nbsp;

The timing of the announcement had underscored the fault lines in the family-led party, prompting &nbsp;&quot;pari-war&quot; memes that play on the Hindi word for family. The SP candidates&#39; list was announced when Akhilesh was away in Bundelkhand in southern UP.

The father-son trust hit a low in mid-August when Akhilesh got into an acrimonious power struggle with his uncle, Shivpal Yadav.&nbsp;

The election in Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;is the largest regional election in India.&nbsp;

WION&#39;s Kartikeya Sharma, who is tracking all the developments in Lucknow, said: &quot;The sudden split and the merger will be sending a mixed signal to the electorate, especially since it is weeks away from the elections.

UP poll results become crucial for the Indian polity because of the ramifications it holds for the ruling party in power at the national level. India&#39;s party in power in New Delhi -- Bharatiya Janata Party -- is focused on improving its tally of MPs (Members of Parliament) in the state as that will improve its numbers in Rajya Sabha, or the Upper House of Parliament, and facilitate the smooth clearance of legislation.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

In a dramatic twist in the feud, SP state unit chief Shivapal Yadav said the warring factions would fight the elections together

Chief minister of India's largest state Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, and his uncle Ramgopal Yadav have been taken back in the Samajwadi Party, a day after they were expelled. SP state unit chief Shivapal Yadav wrote on Twitter that SP general secretary Mulayam Singh Yadav, called 'Netaji' by his followers, revoked the suspension with immediate effect and that the previously warring factions would fight the upcoming state elections together. "We are united," said Shivpal Yadav, who is the brother of Mulayam Singh Yadav. He also tweeted that Mulayam and his son Akhilesh would jointly prepare the list of election candidates. Netaji ke aadesh ke anusar Akhilesh Yadav aur Ram Gopal Yadav ka party se nishkashan tatkal prabhav se samapt kiya jata hai: Shivpal Yadav — ANI (@ANI_news) December 31, 2016 × Ram Gopal cancelled his National executive prog and Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav will sit together to make a list: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/TZlLHFlnFi — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016 × He also said the SP would "fight unitedly against communal forces" in the elections. Samajwadi Party will fight unitedly against communal forces: Shivpal Yadav pic.twitter.com/a8dGKRadRy — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 31, 2016 × The decision was taken soon after Akhilesh met his father at the senior Yadav's 5 Vikramaditya Marg residence in the state capital Lucknow. Earlier in the day, Mulayam called a meeting of all 393 candidates announced by him to contest next assembly election. Akhilesh, too, convened a meeting of MLAs as a showdown against his father to establish that the majority of Samajwadi Party MLAs are with him, ANI reported. But Akhilesh left his meeting midway to meet his father Mulayam Singh with party leader Azam Khan and Abu Azmi. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad also tried to bring the warring groups together by speaking to Mulayam Singh to broker peace, PTI reported. Lalu reportedly called up Mulayam, who happens to be his relative too, to ensure that the feuding leaders buried the hatchet. Yesterday Mulayam had expelled his cousin and senior party functionary Ramgopal Yadav and Akhilesh for six years. The surprise move came after Akhilesh "circulated" his own list of 235 candidates for the upcoming state elections parallel to the party's official list of 393 nominees. A day prior to that, Mulayam Singh had released a list of election candidate without consulting Akhilesh, and refused to name his son as the chief ministerial candidate. Mulayam had also excluded people who were believed to be close to Akhilesh. The timing of the announcement had underscored the fault lines in the family-led party, prompting "pari-war" memes that play on the Hindi word for family. The SP candidates' list was announced when Akhilesh was away in Bundelkhand in southern UP. The father-son trust hit a low in mid-August when Akhilesh got into an acrimonious power struggle with his uncle, Shivpal Yadav. The election in Uttar Pradesh is the largest regional election in India. WION's Kartikeya Sharma, who is tracking all the developments in Lucknow, said: "The sudden split and the merger will be sending a mixed signal to the electorate, especially since it is weeks away from the elections. UP poll results become crucial for the Indian polity because of the ramifications it holds for the ruling party in power at the national level. India's party in power in New Delhi -- Bharatiya Janata Party -- is focused on improving its tally of MPs (Members of Parliament) in the state as that will improve its numbers in Rajya Sabha, or the Upper House of Parliament, and facilitate the smooth clearance of legislation. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Uttar Pradesh: Mulayam Singh Yadav revokes expulsion of son Akhilesh from Samajwadi Party

The all-important meeting convened by the Uttar Pradesh&#39;s ruling Samajwadi Party patriarch, Mulayam Singh soon turned into a mudslinging match as both father and son, the state chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, launched verbal salvos at each other.&nbsp;

Fuelling speculations that the party was headed for a split, ugly scenes unfolded in full public view during which Mulayam Singh sided with his younger brother Shivpal Yadav and friend Amar Singh.&nbsp;

Snapping at Akhilesh, Mulayam virtually dismissed him as an insignificant entity in UP politics who could not win an election without his support. &quot;What is your capability? Can you win elections?&quot; he said.

&quot;Amar has helped me a lot. If Amar was not there I would have been in jail, he is like my brother,&quot; Mulayam said, describing the Rajya Sabha member as his brother.

&quot;Some ministers are just sycophants,&quot; he added. &quot;I cannot forget the work done by Shivpal Yadav,&quot; he said while describing Shivpal as a mass leader.

&quot;We are facing difficult situation, we should remove our weakness and not fight with each other,&quot; Mulayam said.

The ruling SP family has been embroiled in a bitter power struggle. A day before, chief minister Akhilesh had sacked his uncle Shivpal and three other ministers from cabinet positions. His father, Mulayam Singh had struck back expelling Akhilesh&#39;s close confidante and uncle Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years.

At the high-voltage meeting in Lucknow, Mulayam Singh&#39;s attempts to make peace between Akhilesh and Shivpal proved futile. The chief minister first offered to step down in a choked voice but later accused Amar Singh and those close to him of hatching a &quot;conspiracy&quot; against him and his father.&nbsp;

But Shivpal emerged from behind to snatch his mike and called him a &quot;liar&quot;, bringing the meeting to an abrupt end. The nephew-uncle duo later drove to meet the party patriarch Mulayam at his residence.&nbsp;

With the state elections just a few months away, Mulayam Singh is pushing to keep the party intact. He did reprimand son Akhilesh at the party meeting but ruled out his removal as the chief minister.&nbsp;

Akhilesh said he would not be forming a new party, but his uncle disputed the claim, saying was ready to &quot;swear&quot; that the chief minister told him otherwise.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Samajwadi leaders witnessed a heated exchange between party patriarch Mulayam and son Akhilesh Yadav over Shivpal's removal

The all-important meeting convened by the Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party patriarch, Mulayam Singh soon turned into a mudslinging match as both father and son, the state chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, launched verbal salvos at each other. Fuelling speculations that the party was headed for a split, ugly scenes unfolded in full public view during which Mulayam Singh sided with his younger brother Shivpal Yadav and friend Amar Singh. Snapping at Akhilesh, Mulayam virtually dismissed him as an insignificant entity in UP politics who could not win an election without his support. "What is your capability? Can you win elections?" he said. "Amar has helped me a lot. If Amar was not there I would have been in jail, he is like my brother," Mulayam said, describing the Rajya Sabha member as his brother. "Some ministers are just sycophants," he added. "I cannot forget the work done by Shivpal Yadav," he said while describing Shivpal as a mass leader. "We are facing difficult situation, we should remove our weakness and not fight with each other," Mulayam said. The ruling SP family has been embroiled in a bitter power struggle. A day before, chief minister Akhilesh had sacked his uncle Shivpal and three other ministers from cabinet positions. His father, Mulayam Singh had struck back expelling Akhilesh's close confidante and uncle Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years. At the high-voltage meeting in Lucknow, Mulayam Singh's attempts to make peace between Akhilesh and Shivpal proved futile. The chief minister first offered to step down in a choked voice but later accused Amar Singh and those close to him of hatching a "conspiracy" against him and his father. But Shivpal emerged from behind to snatch his mike and called him a "liar", bringing the meeting to an abrupt end. The nephew-uncle duo later drove to meet the party patriarch Mulayam at his residence. With the state elections just a few months away, Mulayam Singh is pushing to keep the party intact. He did reprimand son Akhilesh at the party meeting but ruled out his removal as the chief minister. Akhilesh said he would not be forming a new party, but his uncle disputed the claim, saying was ready to "swear" that the chief minister told him otherwise. (WION with inputs from agencies)

SP turf war: Mulayam backs Shivpal Yadav, reprimands chief minister Akhilesh for creating rift

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