Elections in India&#39;s largest state are around the corner, but the ruling party&#39;s preparation has been wracked with confusion as it has failed to forge a&nbsp;pre-poll alliance that it expected to have cobbled together by now.

India&#39;s northern state of Uttar Pradesh will go to polls from February 11 onwards, making it the world&#39;s biggest election of the year as the state has a population of 200 million.

India&#39;s ruling party Samajwadi Party was initially expected to unite with the Congress and Rashtriya Lok Dal, or RLD, to take on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming polls.

But the plan seems to have come unstuck as SP ruled out an alliance with RLD on Thursday (January 19)&nbsp;and the party&#39;s seat-sharing deal today (January 20) with the Congress has put a question mark on their seemingly impending partnership.&nbsp;There were further disturbances in the contours of the so-called &#39;grand alliance&#39; as the Congress has refused to cast away the Rashtriya Lok Dal, with its spokesperson RS Surjewala Thursday&nbsp;saying it was &quot;premature&quot; to talk about any coalition at the moment. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

On Friday, SP said they could only give 85 of the 403 Assembly seats to the Congress, which did not evoke a &quot;positive response&quot; from the other side.

The SP came to the conclusion after devising a formula, wherein Congress received seats where they were in first place in the last elections or where the Samajwadi Party came third, fourth or fifth.

&ldquo;Thus, the Congress will get 54 seats. But if it (Congress) talks seriously, we can also give them 25-30 additional seats. The maximum seats we can give to them will be 85,&rdquo;&nbsp;SP national vice-president Kironmay Nanda told reporters after the party released its first list of 191 candidates.

The possibility of an alliance has been further dented after Uttar Pradesh&#39;s ruling party decided to field their candidates on seats that were won by the Congress in the 2012 polls. But when one of the reporters pointed this fact out, Nanda said: &quot;If alliance takes place, the SP will withdraw its candidates from those seats.&rdquo; &nbsp;

Nanda also said the Congress should unite with them as that would give them a good chance of beating the Bharatiya Janata Party in the high-stakes battle that has gripped India&#39;s most populous state.

SP&#39;s lone bright spot

In a move that could indicate a reconciliation between the rival factions led by Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav in the SP, the list of 191 candidates that was announced by the party saw the name of Akhilesh&#39;s uncle Shivpal Yadav, who belongs to the faction led by Mulayam Singh Yadav. The SP released an additional list of 18 candidates later in the day (January 20).&nbsp;

The list bears the stamp of the state&#39;s chief minister Akhilesh Yadav as many of his picks have found mention among those whose names were declared. Veteran SP leader and cabinet minister Azam Khan, who is close to Mulayam Singh Yadav, has also been given a ticket from his pocket borough of Rampur, while his son Abdullah Azam has been given a&nbsp;ticket to contest the Swar seat in the Rampur district.

Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav will release the election manifesto on January 22, ANI reported.

RLD announces alliance with JD-U, other parties 
 
The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) today (January 20) decided to contest all the 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and 10 smaller parties, PTI reported.

The other parties include Rashtriya Samanta Dal, Rashtriya Apna Dal, Hamari Apni Party, Rashtriya Kranti Party, and the Bhartiya Vanchit Samaj party.

&quot;We will contest all the 403 seats in alliance with JD(U) and 10 smaller parties,&quot; RLD state unit chief Masood Ahmad Ahmad announced.

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Ruling Samajwadi Party has offered only 85 election tickets to the Congress, eliciting a negative response from the other side

Elections in India's largest state are around the corner, but the ruling party's preparation has been wracked with confusion as it has failed to forge a pre-poll alliance that it expected to have cobbled together by now. India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh will go to polls from February 11 onwards, making it the world's biggest election of the year as the state has a population of 200 million. India's ruling party Samajwadi Party was initially expected to unite with the Congress and Rashtriya Lok Dal, or RLD, to take on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming polls. But the plan seems to have come unstuck as SP ruled out an alliance with RLD on Thursday (January 19) and the party's seat-sharing deal today (January 20) with the Congress has put a question mark on their seemingly impending partnership. There were further disturbances in the contours of the so-called 'grand alliance' as the Congress has refused to cast away the Rashtriya Lok Dal, with its spokesperson RS Surjewala Thursday saying it was "premature" to talk about any coalition at the moment. On Friday, SP said they could only give 85 of the 403 Assembly seats to the Congress, which did not evoke a "positive response" from the other side. The SP came to the conclusion after devising a formula, wherein Congress received seats where they were in first place in the last elections or where the Samajwadi Party came third, fourth or fifth. “Thus, the Congress will get 54 seats. But if it (Congress) talks seriously, we can also give them 25-30 additional seats. The maximum seats we can give to them will be 85,” SP national vice-president Kironmay Nanda told reporters after the party released its first list of 191 candidates. The possibility of an alliance has been further dented after Uttar Pradesh's ruling party decided to field their candidates on seats that were won by the Congress in the 2012 polls. But when one of the reporters pointed this fact out, Nanda said: "If alliance takes place, the SP will withdraw its candidates from those seats.” Nanda also said the Congress should unite with them as that would give them a good chance of beating the Bharatiya Janata Party in the high-stakes battle that has gripped India's most populous state. SP's lone bright spot In a move that could indicate a reconciliation between the rival factions led by Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav in the SP, the list of 191 candidates that was announced by the party saw the name of Akhilesh's uncle Shivpal Yadav, who belongs to the faction led by Mulayam Singh Yadav. The SP released an additional list of 18 candidates later in the day (January 20). The list bears the stamp of the state's chief minister Akhilesh Yadav as many of his picks have found mention among those whose names were declared. Veteran SP leader and cabinet minister Azam Khan, who is close to Mulayam Singh Yadav, has also been given a ticket from his pocket borough of Rampur, while his son Abdullah Azam has been given a ticket to contest the Swar seat in the Rampur district. Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav will release the election manifesto on January 22, ANI reported. RLD announces alliance with JD-U, other parties The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) today (January 20) decided to contest all the 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh in alliance with the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and 10 smaller parties, PTI reported. The other parties include Rashtriya Samanta Dal, Rashtriya Apna Dal, Hamari Apni Party, Rashtriya Kranti Party, and the Bhartiya Vanchit Samaj party. "We will contest all the 403 seats in alliance with JD(U) and 10 smaller parties," RLD state unit chief Masood Ahmad Ahmad announced. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Uttar Pradesh polls: Cracks in 'grand alliance' talks after ruling party's seat-sharing formula

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.

Here are the highlights from their address:&nbsp;

Akhilesh Yadav and I don&#39;t just have a political relationship, but also a personal one. Our alliance will truly help Uttar Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi 
 
The alliance has made the personal and political relationship between Akhilesh and me better: Rahul Gandhi

I had said Akhilesh is a good boy, but he wasn&#39;t allowed to work: Rahul Gandhi

Campaign strategy will not be divulged: Rahul Gandhi on whether mother Sonia, Akhilesh&#39;s father Mulayam Singh would campaign&nbsp;

Priyanka (sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) has been of tremendous help to me and I have been so to her, if she campaigns or not is her choice; she is an asset to Congress: Rahul Gandhi 
 
Whether we will form an alliance in Lok Sabha or not is open to discussion: Rahul Gandhi

This is people&#39;s alliance. Rahul Gandhi and I know each other. It is a matter of happiness that we will now also work together: Akhilesh Yadav

We are like two wheels of the same cycle - one of progress and one of prosperity. Cycle and hand is a great combination: Akhilesh Yadav

If we reveal anything now,&nbsp;no suspense will remain: Akhilesh on seat-sharing in constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi&nbsp; 
 
This alliance isn&#39;t opportunistic: Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh will&nbsp;vote for a new state assembly in a seven-phase election between February 11 and March 8. Out of the 403 assembly seats, Congress will contest 105 seats and the Samajwadi Party will field its candidates in the remaining 298 seats. 
 
(WION)

"If we reveal anything now,?no suspense will remain," said Akhilesh on seat-sharing in constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi?

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. Here are the highlights from their address: Akhilesh Yadav and I don't just have a political relationship, but also a personal one. Our alliance will truly help Uttar Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi The alliance has made the personal and political relationship between Akhilesh and me better: Rahul Gandhi I had said Akhilesh is a good boy, but he wasn't allowed to work: Rahul Gandhi Campaign strategy will not be divulged: Rahul Gandhi on whether mother Sonia, Akhilesh's father Mulayam Singh would campaign Priyanka (sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) has been of tremendous help to me and I have been so to her, if she campaigns or not is her choice; she is an asset to Congress: Rahul Gandhi Whether we will form an alliance in Lok Sabha or not is open to discussion: Rahul Gandhi This is people's alliance. Rahul Gandhi and I know each other. It is a matter of happiness that we will now also work together: Akhilesh Yadav We are like two wheels of the same cycle - one of progress and one of prosperity. Cycle and hand is a great combination: Akhilesh Yadav If we reveal anything now, no suspense will remain: Akhilesh on seat-sharing in constituencies of Rae Bareli and Amethi This alliance isn't opportunistic: Akhilesh Yadav Uttar Pradesh will vote for a new state assembly in a seven-phase election between February 11 and March 8. Out of the 403 assembly seats, Congress will contest 105 seats and the Samajwadi Party will field its candidates in the remaining 298 seats. (WION)

Akhilesh and I like 2 wheels of a cycle: Rahul Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh CM's first address post alliance

The Congress party in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is toying with the idea of using &quot;insider vs outsider&quot;&nbsp;idiom in the upcoming assembly elections. A highly placed source in the campaign team confirmed to WION that Congress would like to portray Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi as local boys against Narendra Modi as an outsider.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We have not formalised the proposal but it is one idea we would like to play with,&rdquo; the source said. The reason why Congress has zeroed in on this idea is because the BJP has not declared a chief ministerial candidate for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and would be banking on the charisma of Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

The source also said that since it is an assembly election Akhilesh and Rahul can easily be portrayed as local boys and the prime minister as a rank outsider since the chief minister&#39;s face is the one that stays back in the state once the election is over. 
&nbsp; 
The idea also stands an equally good chance of running in hot water as Modi as a national campaigner is still the most powerful face in the country. Narendra Modi also happens to be a sitting member of parliament (MP) from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

By calling him an outsider, Modi can also get to play on an emotional pitch that flimsy issues are being used to personally target him and lastly even Gandhis migrated from Kashmir and settled in Allahabad which embraced them as their own.&nbsp;

Finally, the idea that the prime minister who has the national mandate be called an outsider in itself looks weak when it was under his leadership that the BJP won 71 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the general elections in 2014. 
&nbsp; 
Many would say that this goes with Prashant Kishore&rsquo;s style which relies on powerful hashtags focused on a face rather than party issues. Even in this case Prashant Kishore will campaign focusing on the face rather than manifesto promises. From &quot;chai par charcha&quot;, and &quot;Bihar mein bahar ho, Nitish Kumar ho&quot; to &quot;Coffee with Captain&quot; and now &quot;Rawat sang dawat&quot;, all have been produced by Kishore&rsquo;s team. 
&nbsp; 
The sources also indicated that Priyanka Gandhi&rsquo;s role in UP campaign will remain very limited and focus will only be on the campaign of Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. The source also confirmed to WION that Priyanka&rsquo;s campaign will be limited to Rai Barelli and Amethi and that too will remain low profile in nature. Sources said that SP-Congress campaign would have more local flavour than national.&nbsp;

(WION)

Sources also said that Priyanka Gandhi is likely to play a limited role in the upcoming UP assembly elections

The Congress party in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is toying with the idea of using "insider vs outsider" idiom in the upcoming assembly elections. A highly placed source in the campaign team confirmed to WION that Congress would like to portray Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi as local boys against Narendra Modi as an outsider. “We have not formalised the proposal but it is one idea we would like to play with,” the source said. The reason why Congress has zeroed in on this idea is because the BJP has not declared a chief ministerial candidate for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and would be banking on the charisma of Narendra Modi. The source also said that since it is an assembly election Akhilesh and Rahul can easily be portrayed as local boys and the prime minister as a rank outsider since the chief minister's face is the one that stays back in the state once the election is over. The idea also stands an equally good chance of running in hot water as Modi as a national campaigner is still the most powerful face in the country. Narendra Modi also happens to be a sitting member of parliament (MP) from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. By calling him an outsider, Modi can also get to play on an emotional pitch that flimsy issues are being used to personally target him and lastly even Gandhis migrated from Kashmir and settled in Allahabad which embraced them as their own. Finally, the idea that the prime minister who has the national mandate be called an outsider in itself looks weak when it was under his leadership that the BJP won 71 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the general elections in 2014. Many would say that this goes with Prashant Kishore’s style which relies on powerful hashtags focused on a face rather than party issues. Even in this case Prashant Kishore will campaign focusing on the face rather than manifesto promises. From "chai par charcha", and "Bihar mein bahar ho, Nitish Kumar ho" to "Coffee with Captain" and now "Rawat sang dawat", all have been produced by Kishore’s team. The sources also indicated that Priyanka Gandhi’s role in UP campaign will remain very limited and focus will only be on the campaign of Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. The source also confirmed to WION that Priyanka’s campaign will be limited to Rai Barelli and Amethi and that too will remain low profile in nature. Sources said that SP-Congress campaign would have more local flavour than national. (WION)

UP elections: Akhilesh & Rahul to fight on 'insider vs outsider' card

Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders engaged in thrashing out the contours of their alliance by exchanging lists of seats and candidates last week were in for a rude shock to find Muawiyah Ali, who had won Deoband by-poll elections last year, in both parties&#39; lists.

The Congress had claimed the seat, saying it had wrested it from the SP only last year by a margin of 3,400 votes. Ironically, the party seemed to be blissfully unaware that Ali had since joined the SP and being the sitting MLA, had got that party&rsquo;s ticket. The Congress managed to get the seat but immediately replaced Ali with Mukesh Chaudhary. Ali, after realising the seat had gone to the Congress, reportedly insisted on fielding his wife who he claimed was still a party member.

The comedy of errors is a perfect illustration of how the Congress and the SP are targeting the same target audience in their bid to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state; in the 2014 general elections, the right-wing party swept through the state, winning 71 of 80 Lok Sabha seats.

But the alliance has not been smooth sailing; that ship many a time came close to crashing on the rocks of political obstinacy and unpredictability. It finally took the firm hands of two women &mdash; Priyanka Gandhi and Dimple Yadav, both furiously backchanneling at the close &mdash; to steady nerves on both sides and bring the ship safely into harbour.

Sources in both parties told DNA that the alliance, finalised only yesterday, was part of backroom discussions since October 2016, when Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi wound up his 3,500-km &lsquo;Kisan Yatra&rsquo; across 48 districts and 141 Assembly segments. Upon returning Delhi, he reportedly toned down his initial resistance towards an alliance after a number of local leaders told him that going it alone would not cut much ice in a four-way contest and would only benefit the BJP.

Insiders say that most workers, including state unit chief Raj Babbar, initially favoured opening talks with the Bahujan SamaJ party (BSP). Those plans were scuttled after Mayawati rejected the overtures, saying she was only interested in a post-election tie-up.

Campaign strategist Prashant Kishor, who had earlier been asked to stay away from the state&rsquo;s matters, was brought back to establish contact with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, a move that coincided with the ongoing internecine Yadav family feud.

However, sources say it was only after the other Gandhi scion, Priyanka, came into the picture that Rahul gave his go-ahead for the alliance. She also reportedly shot down his idea of taking advantage of the SP infighting, as well as of demanding at least 200 seats, pointing out that the party likely did not have that many viable candidates.

Meanwhile, Akhilesh was not sure of getting the party symbol and feared that his father Mulayam Singh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav could field candidates to undermine his chances. To shore up his strength, therefore, claim Congress leaders, Akhilesh had himself offered 144 seats to them. But when the dust settled on the SP&rsquo;s internal war, with Akhilesh firmly in the saddle, his aides opposed giving more than 80 seats to the Congress.

It was again left to Priyanka, who worked with Akhilesh&rsquo;s wife Dimple, to salvage the alliance. Over the past month, it is believed that Priyanka made at least three trips to Lucknow by a special aircraft to carry on negotiations, without anyone having an inkling of what she was up to. On Friday, after the SP announced its list of candidates, Priyanka is believed to have exchanged as many as a dozen text messages with Akhilesh and his wife Dimple.

In one, she is understood to have written something along the lines of &lsquo;If you do not align with Congress, it that means the Samajwadi Party is supporting the rule of BJP&rsquo;. Akhilesh, said an person familiar with the exchange, replied that that situation would never arise so long as Mulayam Yadav was the driving force of the party.

The only other persons in the loop were Congress General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad &mdash; whose role was a surprise, given his past opposition to such an alliance &mdash; and Akhilesh&rsquo;s uncle Ram Gopal Yadav. It was finally Azad who broke the news of the alliance and asked local Congress leaders to identify seats. Azad reportedly met Ram Gopal secretly at least thrice to finalise the deal. In the 2012 elections, the SP had won 226 seats while the Congress had a mere 20 MLAs since eight of its members, including former state Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, later defected to other parties.

Psychologically, they say, it will help Akhilesh beat anti-incumbency and pull floating voters, and also defeat the BJP strategy to divide the Muslim vote. Both parties are aiming for 35-37 per cent votes by targeting 25 per cent non-Muslims and attracting Muslims, who are 18 per cent of the population.

(This report first appeared in DNA)

Priyanka Gandhi and Dimple Yadav worked furiously behind the scenes to get the alliance going

Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders engaged in thrashing out the contours of their alliance by exchanging lists of seats and candidates last week were in for a rude shock to find Muawiyah Ali, who had won Deoband by-poll elections last year, in both parties' lists. The Congress had claimed the seat, saying it had wrested it from the SP only last year by a margin of 3,400 votes. Ironically, the party seemed to be blissfully unaware that Ali had since joined the SP and being the sitting MLA, had got that party’s ticket. The Congress managed to get the seat but immediately replaced Ali with Mukesh Chaudhary. Ali, after realising the seat had gone to the Congress, reportedly insisted on fielding his wife who he claimed was still a party member. The comedy of errors is a perfect illustration of how the Congress and the SP are targeting the same target audience in their bid to stop the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state; in the 2014 general elections, the right-wing party swept through the state, winning 71 of 80 Lok Sabha seats. But the alliance has not been smooth sailing; that ship many a time came close to crashing on the rocks of political obstinacy and unpredictability. It finally took the firm hands of two women — Priyanka Gandhi and Dimple Yadav, both furiously backchanneling at the close — to steady nerves on both sides and bring the ship safely into harbour. Sources in both parties told DNA that the alliance, finalised only yesterday, was part of backroom discussions since October 2016, when Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi wound up his 3,500-km ‘Kisan Yatra’ across 48 districts and 141 Assembly segments. Upon returning Delhi, he reportedly toned down his initial resistance towards an alliance after a number of local leaders told him that going it alone would not cut much ice in a four-way contest and would only benefit the BJP. Insiders say that most workers, including state unit chief Raj Babbar, initially favoured opening talks with the Bahujan SamaJ party (BSP). Those plans were scuttled after Mayawati rejected the overtures, saying she was only interested in a post-election tie-up. Campaign strategist Prashant Kishor, who had earlier been asked to stay away from the state’s matters, was brought back to establish contact with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, a move that coincided with the ongoing internecine Yadav family feud. However, sources say it was only after the other Gandhi scion, Priyanka, came into the picture that Rahul gave his go-ahead for the alliance. She also reportedly shot down his idea of taking advantage of the SP infighting, as well as of demanding at least 200 seats, pointing out that the party likely did not have that many viable candidates. Meanwhile, Akhilesh was not sure of getting the party symbol and feared that his father Mulayam Singh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav could field candidates to undermine his chances. To shore up his strength, therefore, claim Congress leaders, Akhilesh had himself offered 144 seats to them. But when the dust settled on the SP’s internal war, with Akhilesh firmly in the saddle, his aides opposed giving more than 80 seats to the Congress. It was again left to Priyanka, who worked with Akhilesh’s wife Dimple, to salvage the alliance. Over the past month, it is believed that Priyanka made at least three trips to Lucknow by a special aircraft to carry on negotiations, without anyone having an inkling of what she was up to. On Friday, after the SP announced its list of candidates, Priyanka is believed to have exchanged as many as a dozen text messages with Akhilesh and his wife Dimple. In one, she is understood to have written something along the lines of ‘If you do not align with Congress, it that means the Samajwadi Party is supporting the rule of BJP’. Akhilesh, said an person familiar with the exchange, replied that that situation would never arise so long as Mulayam Yadav was the driving force of the party. The only other persons in the loop were Congress General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad — whose role was a surprise, given his past opposition to such an alliance — and Akhilesh’s uncle Ram Gopal Yadav. It was finally Azad who broke the news of the alliance and asked local Congress leaders to identify seats. Azad reportedly met Ram Gopal secretly at least thrice to finalise the deal. In the 2012 elections, the SP had won 226 seats while the Congress had a mere 20 MLAs since eight of its members, including former state Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, later defected to other parties. Psychologically, they say, it will help Akhilesh beat anti-incumbency and pull floating voters, and also defeat the BJP strategy to divide the Muslim vote. Both parties are aiming for 35-37 per cent votes by targeting 25 per cent non-Muslims and attracting Muslims, who are 18 per cent of the population. (This report first appeared in DNA)

A tale of two women: How the Congress-SP deal was salvaged

Prashant Kishore is back.

The man behind the success of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar will manage the joint election campaign of the Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh&#39;s (UP)&nbsp;Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Prashant Kishore single-handedly made the strategy which defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar and ended up projecting Nitish Kumar in a way which BJP couldn&rsquo;t match during the assembly elections. Prashant Kishore was also involved in negotiations with Samajwadi Party with a close aide of Priyanka Gandhi. The earlier part of the discussion with the Samajwadi Party (SP) was held by Priyanka&rsquo;s aide in RGF and in end the discussions were taken up by Prashant Kishore, who concluded the alliance talks with SP.

Sources confirmed that by&nbsp;next&nbsp;week a new tagline for Uttar Pradesh elections would be announced by the team of Prashant Kishore. Earlier senior leaders of the Congress Party in Uttar Pradesh had ganged up against Prashant Kishore, who had to shift all his attention to Punjab. But with the alliance in place the wiz kid is back, and his&nbsp;new and radical communication strategy is anathema to the senior and the old guard. Prashant Kishore was the one who gave the famous tagline of 27 saal UP behal campaign, which subsequently got junked because of national compulsions.

Gulam Nabi Azad, the Leader of Opposition and in charge of Uttar Pradesh, also made it clear when he said that the alliance was stuck to keep BJP at bay in UP. Now Kishore will have to work up a different campaign theme taking on BSP and BJP simultaneously. Prashant Kishore during Lok Sabha elections had worked for the Narendra Modi&rsquo;s election campaign. He was the brain behind the famous chai for charcha campaign. The style of Prashant Kishore is to focus on the candidate and eliminate others from the political narrative.

Now his task is cut out.

(WION)

&nbsp;

Sources said a new tagline would be announced next week

Prashant Kishore is back. The man behind the success of Mahagathbandhan in Bihar will manage the joint election campaign of the Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Uttar Pradesh's (UP) Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Prashant Kishore single-handedly made the strategy which defeated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar and ended up projecting Nitish Kumar in a way which BJP couldn’t match during the assembly elections. Prashant Kishore was also involved in negotiations with Samajwadi Party with a close aide of Priyanka Gandhi. The earlier part of the discussion with the Samajwadi Party (SP) was held by Priyanka’s aide in RGF and in end the discussions were taken up by Prashant Kishore, who concluded the alliance talks with SP. Sources confirmed that by next week a new tagline for Uttar Pradesh elections would be announced by the team of Prashant Kishore. Earlier senior leaders of the Congress Party in Uttar Pradesh had ganged up against Prashant Kishore, who had to shift all his attention to Punjab. But with the alliance in place the wiz kid is back, and his new and radical communication strategy is anathema to the senior and the old guard. Prashant Kishore was the one who gave the famous tagline of 27 saal UP behal campaign, which subsequently got junked because of national compulsions. Gulam Nabi Azad, the Leader of Opposition and in charge of Uttar Pradesh, also made it clear when he said that the alliance was stuck to keep BJP at bay in UP. Now Kishore will have to work up a different campaign theme taking on BSP and BJP simultaneously. Prashant Kishore during Lok Sabha elections had worked for the Narendra Modi’s election campaign. He was the brain behind the famous chai for charcha campaign. The style of Prashant Kishore is to focus on the candidate and eliminate others from the political narrative. Now his task is cut out. (WION)

UP election: Prashant Kishore to manage joint SP-Congress campaign

Akhilesh Yadav&#39;s uncle Ramgopal Yadav filed the caveat in the Supreme Court of India, prempting Akhilesh&#39;s father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav in case he decides to challenge the Election Commission order.

A day after India&#39;s Election Commission granted the disputed &#39;cycle&#39; symbol of the Samajwadi Party (SP) to Akhilesh Yadav, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister visited his father and SP founder Mulayam Singh at his residence, describing his ties with him as &quot;unbreakable.&quot;

Akhilesh, who was reportedly given a list of about 40 candidates by Mulayam Singh, said over 90 per cent of the candidates in both lists were common. He said his priority was to form the SP government in the upcoming assembly elections in the state and that he would take his father along.

&quot;I will take Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) along...My relation with him is unbreakable. I was confident that I will get cycle (symbol). Little time is left. It&#39;s a big responsibility and I will take everyone with us,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;Over 90 per cent candidates in both the lists are common. We will finalise the list of candidates soon,&quot; Akhilesh told reporters during an informal chat at his Kalidas Marg residence in state capital Lucknow.

However, the Akhilesh faction led by his mentor and uncle Ramgopal Yadav filed a caveat in the top court asking it not to pass any order challenging the Election Commission order without hearing their side.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also went into a huddle with his advisors, including Upper House legislators Ramgopal Yadav and Naresh Agarwal, strategising on an alliance with Congress, RLD and JD(U) for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

SP sources said the list of party candidates will be released in a day or two.

There were reports that the three parties could come out with a common minimum programme.

While Akhilesh said in Lucknow that a decision on the alliance will be made in a day or two, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad confirmed his party would ally with the SP in the upcoming UP elections.&nbsp;

&quot;The decision on alliance (with Congress) will be taken in a day or two,&quot; Akhilesh told journalists in Lucknow. His uncle and party strategist Ramgopal Yadav hoped a grand secular alliance would be in place for polls.&nbsp;

&quot;I am confident that the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance will form the next government in Uttar Pradesh,&quot; All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad told the press in New Delhi.

Party coordinator for UP Meem Afzal said, &quot;Congress will have an alliance with Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. The details of the arrangement will be announced in the next two days.&quot;

The Congress is yet to officially announce the SP alliance and seat-sharing agreement although an announcement is expected soon. 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 the state.

The poll process kicked off today with a notification being issued for the first phase of polling on February 11.

Before the poll panel settled the dispute between the warring factions in Akhilesh&#39;s favour, Mulayam had rejected all suggestions of a tie-up with the Congress despite Akhilesh saying that an alliance between the two could fetch 300 of the state&#39;s 403 seats.

According to SP sources, the party will keep the majority of over 250 seats with itself. Congress was being offered around 90-100 seats by the SP, which was also said to be trying to rope in Ajit Singh&#39;s RLD. Rashtriya Lok Dal has pockets of influence in western UP which goes to polls in the first two phases on February 11 and 15.

Ramgopal Yadav and Ghulam Nabi Azad are reportedly in talks to iron out differences over seat sharing between the two parties.

Party sources said the list would be prepared keeping in mind the possible alliance with Congress as nomination for first phase has already begun.

Mulayam Singh, meanwhile, stayed put at his bungalow, hardly a stone&#39;s throw away from that of Akhilesh. Shivpal Yadav and a few other loyalists like Ambika Chowdhury met him during the day.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Akhilesh, who was reportedly given a list of about 40 candidates by Mulayam Singh, said over 90% of the candidates in both lists were common

Akhilesh Yadav's uncle Ramgopal Yadav filed the caveat in the Supreme Court of India, prempting Akhilesh's father and SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav in case he decides to challenge the Election Commission order. A day after India's Election Commission granted the disputed 'cycle' symbol of the Samajwadi Party (SP) to Akhilesh Yadav, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister visited his father and SP founder Mulayam Singh at his residence, describing his ties with him as "unbreakable." Akhilesh, who was reportedly given a list of about 40 candidates by Mulayam Singh, said over 90 per cent of the candidates in both lists were common. He said his priority was to form the SP government in the upcoming assembly elections in the state and that he would take his father along. "I will take Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) along...My relation with him is unbreakable. I was confident that I will get cycle (symbol). Little time is left. It's a big responsibility and I will take everyone with us," he said. "Over 90 per cent candidates in both the lists are common. We will finalise the list of candidates soon," Akhilesh told reporters during an informal chat at his Kalidas Marg residence in state capital Lucknow. However, the Akhilesh faction led by his mentor and uncle Ramgopal Yadav filed a caveat in the top court asking it not to pass any order challenging the Election Commission order without hearing their side. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also went into a huddle with his advisors, including Upper House legislators Ramgopal Yadav and Naresh Agarwal, strategising on an alliance with Congress, RLD and JD(U) for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. SP sources said the list of party candidates will be released in a day or two. There were reports that the three parties could come out with a common minimum programme. While Akhilesh said in Lucknow that a decision on the alliance will be made in a day or two, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad confirmed his party would ally with the SP in the upcoming UP elections. "The decision on alliance (with Congress) will be taken in a day or two," Akhilesh told journalists in Lucknow. His uncle and party strategist Ramgopal Yadav hoped a grand secular alliance would be in place for polls. "I am confident that the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance will form the next government in Uttar Pradesh," All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad told the press in New Delhi. Party coordinator for UP Meem Afzal said, "Congress will have an alliance with Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. The details of the arrangement will be announced in the next two days." The Congress is yet to officially announce the SP alliance and seat-sharing agreement although an announcement is expected soon. 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 the state. The poll process kicked off today with a notification being issued for the first phase of polling on February 11. Before the poll panel settled the dispute between the warring factions in Akhilesh's favour, Mulayam had rejected all suggestions of a tie-up with the Congress despite Akhilesh saying that an alliance between the two could fetch 300 of the state's 403 seats. According to SP sources, the party will keep the majority of over 250 seats with itself. Congress was being offered around 90-100 seats by the SP, which was also said to be trying to rope in Ajit Singh's RLD. Rashtriya Lok Dal has pockets of influence in western UP which goes to polls in the first two phases on February 11 and 15. Ramgopal Yadav and Ghulam Nabi Azad are reportedly in talks to iron out differences over seat sharing between the two parties. Party sources said the list would be prepared keeping in mind the possible alliance with Congress as nomination for first phase has already begun. Mulayam Singh, meanwhile, stayed put at his bungalow, hardly a stone's throw away from that of Akhilesh. Shivpal Yadav and a few other loyalists like Ambika Chowdhury met him during the day. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Ties with Mulayam Singh unbreakable, will take him along: Akhilesh's olive branch to father ahead of polls

By Anuradha Mukherjee

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav&#39;s fondness for bicycles is well-known, so the Election Commission of India&#39;s decision to grant the election symbol to the Samajwadi Party (SP) faction led by him must feel like a sweet gift.&nbsp;

But politicians aligned to the faction led by his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, assert that this is not the end of the battle and that the two factions may ultimately fight it out in the UP polls. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;Now everything, including a joint existence of the two factions in SP, may depend on the Uttar Pradesh polls. If the bicycle symbol were not given to Akhilesh, or if it was frozen, Mulayam Singh would have fielded parallel candidates on all 403 assembly seats, but not now,&quot; an SP politician from the Mulayam faction told WION from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh&#39;s capital.&nbsp;

What also looks quite possible now is the much-discussed coalition with the Congress party which is expected to get 89-100 seats in the alliance.&nbsp;

While Akhilesh supporters were clearly happy, but guarded in their response, the gloom in Mulayam&#39;s camp was but palpable.&nbsp;

In fact, soon after the victory, Akhilesh rushed to call on his father, Mulayam, in what is being seen as an assertion of his personal relationship with the veteran politician.&nbsp;

Mulayam&#39;s supporters were mostly tight-lipped and said they would be able to respond to the development only once the party members discuss matters tomorrow.&nbsp;

However, a politician close to the Mulayam camp said any decision of forging a truce would depend on Netaji &quot;or the leader&quot; as the veteran politician is fondly called.&nbsp;

&quot;Whether the two groups decide to solve their differences will depend on Netaji. People who are being called &#39;anti-Akhilesh&#39; today are those who followed Netaji. Now if Akhilesh goes into a coalition with Congress party, where will the sitting legislators of SP go? Then Mulayam Singh ji will field those MLAs (members of legislative assembly) from those seats against the Congress,&quot; said the SP politician from Mulayam&#39;s faction. &nbsp;

&quot;When these sitting SP MLAs are denied tickets from seats that are allotted to Congress, they will definitely present their grievance in front of Mulayam Singh. He will then tell them to contest the polls with his photograph on their posters or on the ticket of his old party, Lok Dal, on the symbol of kisan (farmer). Lok Dal leader Sunil Singh has already offered its national president&#39;s position to Mulayam ji and has been quite critical of Akhilesh,&quot; he added. &nbsp;

The coalition with the Congress party was also a sore point between the father-son combine.&nbsp;

Congress politician Kapil Sibal represented Akhilesh Yadav&#39;s group in the EC in the election symbol case.&nbsp;

&quot;Given the overwhelming support received by Akhilesh&#39;s group, EC gave its decision,&quot; Kapil Sibal, Akhilesh Yadav&#39;s lawyer told the media on Monday. &nbsp;

Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who was being touted as the Congress face in the state, had also announced her endorsement of Akhilesh for sometime now.&nbsp;

&ldquo;I am ready to step away if the Congress decides to go into an alliance with Akhilesh Yadav,&rdquo; Dikshit said. &nbsp;

The two warring arms of the Yadav clan that controls Samajwadi Party, in power in India&#39;s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, took their claim to the EC after son Akhilesh and father Mulayam Singh Yadav declared their own lists of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls.&nbsp;

Akhilesh declared majority support among his sitting legislators, something he was able to prove in ECI through affidavits submitted, and literally wrested control of the party from his father who founded it, using state police to seize control of the party headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh&#39;s capital.&nbsp;

However, the Akhilesh camp expressed hope of a reunion of the father and son duo. &quot;The party is united and is with Akhilesh Yadav. It was clear in the meeting of party workers that was held recently,&quot; said Rajan Chaudhary of SP, also a state minister. Asked if he saw the ECI decision changing things for his party that looked headed for a split, he hoped: &quot;The difficult situation that had arisen will change. And Mulayam Singh ji is a large-hearted person. He will come around.&quot; &nbsp;

(WION)

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav struck a conciliatory tone by calling on father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, after getting 'bicycle' election symbol

By Anuradha Mukherjee Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's fondness for bicycles is well-known, so the Election Commission of India's decision to grant the election symbol to the Samajwadi Party (SP) faction led by him must feel like a sweet gift. But politicians aligned to the faction led by his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, assert that this is not the end of the battle and that the two factions may ultimately fight it out in the UP polls. "Now everything, including a joint existence of the two factions in SP, may depend on the Uttar Pradesh polls. If the bicycle symbol were not given to Akhilesh, or if it was frozen, Mulayam Singh would have fielded parallel candidates on all 403 assembly seats, but not now," an SP politician from the Mulayam faction told WION from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh's capital. What also looks quite possible now is the much-discussed coalition with the Congress party which is expected to get 89-100 seats in the alliance. While Akhilesh supporters were clearly happy, but guarded in their response, the gloom in Mulayam's camp was but palpable. In fact, soon after the victory, Akhilesh rushed to call on his father, Mulayam, in what is being seen as an assertion of his personal relationship with the veteran politician. Mulayam's supporters were mostly tight-lipped and said they would be able to respond to the development only once the party members discuss matters tomorrow. However, a politician close to the Mulayam camp said any decision of forging a truce would depend on Netaji "or the leader" as the veteran politician is fondly called. "Whether the two groups decide to solve their differences will depend on Netaji. People who are being called 'anti-Akhilesh' today are those who followed Netaji. Now if Akhilesh goes into a coalition with Congress party, where will the sitting legislators of SP go? Then Mulayam Singh ji will field those MLAs (members of legislative assembly) from those seats against the Congress," said the SP politician from Mulayam's faction. "When these sitting SP MLAs are denied tickets from seats that are allotted to Congress, they will definitely present their grievance in front of Mulayam Singh. He will then tell them to contest the polls with his photograph on their posters or on the ticket of his old party, Lok Dal, on the symbol of kisan (farmer). Lok Dal leader Sunil Singh has already offered its national president's position to Mulayam ji and has been quite critical of Akhilesh," he added. The coalition with the Congress party was also a sore point between the father-son combine. Congress politician Kapil Sibal represented Akhilesh Yadav's group in the EC in the election symbol case. "Given the overwhelming support received by Akhilesh's group, EC gave its decision," Kapil Sibal, Akhilesh Yadav's lawyer told the media on Monday. Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who was being touted as the Congress face in the state, had also announced her endorsement of Akhilesh for sometime now. “I am ready to step away if the Congress decides to go into an alliance with Akhilesh Yadav,” Dikshit said. The two warring arms of the Yadav clan that controls Samajwadi Party, in power in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, took their claim to the EC after son Akhilesh and father Mulayam Singh Yadav declared their own lists of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls. Akhilesh declared majority support among his sitting legislators, something he was able to prove in ECI through affidavits submitted, and literally wrested control of the party from his father who founded it, using state police to seize control of the party headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh's capital. However, the Akhilesh camp expressed hope of a reunion of the father and son duo. "The party is united and is with Akhilesh Yadav. It was clear in the meeting of party workers that was held recently," said Rajan Chaudhary of SP, also a state minister. Asked if he saw the ECI decision changing things for his party that looked headed for a split, he hoped: "The difficult situation that had arisen will change. And Mulayam Singh ji is a large-hearted person. He will come around." (WION)

Samajwadi Party braces for second leg of 'Pari-War': Rift can be fought out in UP polls

His failure to provide a matching response to Ram Gopal Yadav&#39;s meticulous paperwork submitted to the Election Commission of India seems to have cost Samajwadi leader Mulayam Singh Yadav dear with the poll-body today deciding that the group led by his son Akhilesh Yadav &ldquo;is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and its reserved symbol &#39;bicycle&#39;&quot; in the upcoming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

The Election Commission&#39;s 42-page order on the father-son dispute makes for interesting reading. It lays down in great detail the entire sequence of events that played out in the Samajwadi symbol saga over the past few weeks.

While adjudicating on the case, the EC held that the &quot;facts and circumstances of the present case are to a large extent similar to those in the case of the split in the Indian National Congress and, therefore, the Commission is perfectly justified in applying the same test of majority in the present case as well&quot;.

In an affidavit submitted on January 6, Ram Gopal Yadav, on behalf of the Akhilesh Yadav group submitted individual affidavits of the members of legislative and organisational wings (see attached pic) in support of his claim of the majority support among the members of the party for the Akhilesh Yadav group.

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Members supporting Akhilesh Yadav (WION)
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In his reply on January 9, Mulayam, on the other hand, &ldquo;did not file any affidavit (except his own affidavit) of any member of Parliament or State Legislature or of any delegates; nor did he make claim of any support among the aforesaid category of members for his group, inspite of the fact that he had been specifically directed&rdquo; by the EC to file &ldquo;all such affidavits in support of his claim&rdquo;.

Realizing the urgency of the matter in view of the fast approaching elections in Uttar Pradesh, where the first notification calling the general election for the first phase from 73 assembly constituencies is scheduled to be notified on 17th January, the EC then fixed an urgent hearing in the matter on January 13.

While sending the notice to both the groups on January 10, the Election Commission again specifically directed both the groups that if they have any further documents to submit, they should do so by 5.00 p.m on January 12, along with synopsis of the oral arguments that they may advance at the hearing.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Again, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav group did not file any affidavit of any members of Parliament or state legislature or of any delegates to claim any support among those members for his group. In all his replies, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav only made the contention that there was no split in the party which needed determination under para 15 of the Symbols Order,&rdquo; the EC order said today.

The EC order further states that the Mulayam camp &ldquo;vaguely&rdquo; stated that a &ldquo;bare perusal of the said affidavits reveal that they contain the same contents in English so much so that the errors/mistakes which have crept in one has been carried in most of them&rdquo;.

&ldquo;For instance, in number of affidavits instead of word &#39;&#39;held&quot; the word &quot;help&quot; has been printed and the same error has been carried in majority of affidavits. It appears that the deponents have been seemingly called upon to sign on dotted lines. Moreover, the most of such deponents are not versed with English language, the affidavits allegedly sworn by them are in English and it has not been mentioned that the contents were read over to them in vernacular,&rdquo; the Mulayam camp argued.

It also added that the affidavits submitted by Ram Gopal Yadav &ldquo;do not contain averment that the affidavits have been sworn by the deponents without any fear, favour or influence, which is essential in such like situations&rdquo;.

The EC has said that except for these &ldquo;vague allegations&rdquo;, the Mulayam group--despite repeated opportunities given to it&mdash;neither filed any affidavit from any member nor indicated even the name of one member whose affidavit was considered by him to be suspect, or questioned the numbers claimed by Ram Gopal Yadav.

The substantive documentation made available by the Akhilesh Yadav camp&mdash;with senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal as its legal counsel&mdash;was enough to convince the EC that Akhilesh did enjoy &ldquo;overwhelming majority support, both among the legislative and organizational wing of the party&rdquo;.

(WION) 
&nbsp;

Ram Gopal Yadav submitted individual affidavits of the members of legislative and organisational wings in favour of Akhilesh Yadav

His failure to provide a matching response to Ram Gopal Yadav's meticulous paperwork submitted to the Election Commission of India seems to have cost Samajwadi leader Mulayam Singh Yadav dear with the poll-body today deciding that the group led by his son Akhilesh Yadav “is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and its reserved symbol 'bicycle'" in the upcoming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. The Election Commission's 42-page order on the father-son dispute makes for interesting reading. It lays down in great detail the entire sequence of events that played out in the Samajwadi symbol saga over the past few weeks. While adjudicating on the case, the EC held that the "facts and circumstances of the present case are to a large extent similar to those in the case of the split in the Indian National Congress and, therefore, the Commission is perfectly justified in applying the same test of majority in the present case as well". In an affidavit submitted on January 6, Ram Gopal Yadav, on behalf of the Akhilesh Yadav group submitted individual affidavits of the members of legislative and organisational wings (see attached pic) in support of his claim of the majority support among the members of the party for the Akhilesh Yadav group. Members supporting Akhilesh Yadav (WION) × In his reply on January 9, Mulayam, on the other hand, “did not file any affidavit (except his own affidavit) of any member of Parliament or State Legislature or of any delegates; nor did he make claim of any support among the aforesaid category of members for his group, inspite of the fact that he had been specifically directed” by the EC to file “all such affidavits in support of his claim”. Realizing the urgency of the matter in view of the fast approaching elections in Uttar Pradesh, where the first notification calling the general election for the first phase from 73 assembly constituencies is scheduled to be notified on 17th January, the EC then fixed an urgent hearing in the matter on January 13. While sending the notice to both the groups on January 10, the Election Commission again specifically directed both the groups that if they have any further documents to submit, they should do so by 5.00 p.m on January 12, along with synopsis of the oral arguments that they may advance at the hearing. “Again, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav group did not file any affidavit of any members of Parliament or state legislature or of any delegates to claim any support among those members for his group. In all his replies, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav only made the contention that there was no split in the party which needed determination under para 15 of the Symbols Order,” the EC order said today. The EC order further states that the Mulayam camp “vaguely” stated that a “bare perusal of the said affidavits reveal that they contain the same contents in English so much so that the errors/mistakes which have crept in one has been carried in most of them”. “For instance, in number of affidavits instead of word ''held" the word "help" has been printed and the same error has been carried in majority of affidavits. It appears that the deponents have been seemingly called upon to sign on dotted lines. Moreover, the most of such deponents are not versed with English language, the affidavits allegedly sworn by them are in English and it has not been mentioned that the contents were read over to them in vernacular,” the Mulayam camp argued. It also added that the affidavits submitted by Ram Gopal Yadav “do not contain averment that the affidavits have been sworn by the deponents without any fear, favour or influence, which is essential in such like situations”. The EC has said that except for these “vague allegations”, the Mulayam group--despite repeated opportunities given to it—neither filed any affidavit from any member nor indicated even the name of one member whose affidavit was considered by him to be suspect, or questioned the numbers claimed by Ram Gopal Yadav. The substantive documentation made available by the Akhilesh Yadav camp—with senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal as its legal counsel—was enough to convince the EC that Akhilesh did enjoy “overwhelming majority support, both among the legislative and organizational wing of the party”. (WION)

Meticulous paperwork by Akhilesh-led faction swayed Election Commission's order on 'bicycle' symbol in his favour

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav enjoys &quot;overwhelming majority support&quot; of legislators and party delegates, the Election Commission held today while allocating the Samajwadi Party election symbol &#39;Cycle&#39; to him.

The Commission also went by past precedents when it had based its judgements on numerical strength as directed by the Supreme Court in a 1972 verdict.

&quot;...A mere look at the figures...Will evidently demonstrate that Akhilesh Yadav enjoys overwhelming majority support, both among the legislative and organisational wing of the party.&quot;

&quot;As a logical consequence of the above finding and applying the test of majority support approved by the Supreme Court in the case of Sadiq Ali and consistently applied by the Commission thereafter in all cases of disputes in recognised political parties arising before it from time to time...The group led by Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and its reserved symbol Bicycle..,&quot; the 42-page order of the EC said.

Rejecting the stand of the Mulayam Singh Yadav camp, the Commission said there is a clear split in the party.

&quot;...The Commission is satisfied that a split has arisen in the Samajwadi Party resulting in the formation of two rival groups -- one, led by Akhilesh Yadav and the, other, led by Mulayam Singh Yadav, each claiming to be that party, and, therefore, the matter needed to be determined by the Commission under para 15 of the Symbols Order,&quot; the poll panel said.

It said 205 of the 228 MLAs, 56 of the 68 MLCs, 15 of the 24 MPs and 28 of the 46 National Executive members have sided with Akhilesh.

Also, 4400 of the 5731 National Convention delegates have signed in favour of the chief minister, the order said.

The Commission referred to a contention by Mulayam&#39;s side that the affidavits filed by Akhilesh&#39;s group do not contain averment that they were sworn without any fear, favour or influence as needed and said except for the &quot;above vague allegation&quot;, the group did not file any affidavit from any member despite repeated opportunities given to it.

&quot;... Neither filed any affidavit from any member nor indicated even the name of one member whose affidavit was considered by him to be suspect or questioned the above numbers claimed by Shri Ram Gopal Yadav either on 13 January, 2017 at the time of hearing or at any time thereafter,&quot; the order said.

It also mentioned that while the counsel for the Mulayam group wanted to make a mountain of a molehill by referring to a typographical mistake in the affidavits of the Akhilesh group, the counsel had no reply when it was pointed out that its leader Amar Singh had said in the concluding para of his affidavit that &quot;I refute my point on the illegibility of January 1, 2017 convention of Samajwadi Party and unconstitutionality of their resolution thereby&quot;.

The seven-phased polls in the state begin on February 11.

The order came within a fortnight of Akhilesh being anointed the national president of the party.

A jubilant Ramgopal Yadav said the EC took the right decision as the Mulayam camp did not have any supporting documents to claim symbol and party name.

&quot;The Chief Minister is very happy,&quot; he said.

About party&#39;s plans for an alliance with Congress in the state for the coming elections, he said, &quot;The party president will be deciding it. I hope it will happen.&quot;

As soon as he got the news, Akhilesh went to meet his father to seek his blessings.

Interestingly, the EC announcement came hours after Akhilesh supporters put up his brand new name plate at the SP headquarters that read &quot;Akhilesh Yadav, Party President&quot; strategically positioned directly under his father&#39;s nameplate which mentions Mulayam as &quot;Party President&quot;.

(PTI) 
&nbsp;

The EC said 205 of the 228 MLAs, 56 of the 68 MLCs, 15 of the 24 MPs and 28 of the 46 national executive members have sided with Akhilesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav enjoys "overwhelming majority support" of legislators and party delegates, the Election Commission held today while allocating the Samajwadi Party election symbol 'Cycle' to him. The Commission also went by past precedents when it had based its judgements on numerical strength as directed by the Supreme Court in a 1972 verdict. "...A mere look at the figures...Will evidently demonstrate that Akhilesh Yadav enjoys overwhelming majority support, both among the legislative and organisational wing of the party." "As a logical consequence of the above finding and applying the test of majority support approved by the Supreme Court in the case of Sadiq Ali and consistently applied by the Commission thereafter in all cases of disputes in recognised political parties arising before it from time to time...The group led by Akhilesh Yadav is the Samajwadi Party and is entitled to use its name and its reserved symbol Bicycle..," the 42-page order of the EC said. Rejecting the stand of the Mulayam Singh Yadav camp, the Commission said there is a clear split in the party. "...The Commission is satisfied that a split has arisen in the Samajwadi Party resulting in the formation of two rival groups -- one, led by Akhilesh Yadav and the, other, led by Mulayam Singh Yadav, each claiming to be that party, and, therefore, the matter needed to be determined by the Commission under para 15 of the Symbols Order," the poll panel said. It said 205 of the 228 MLAs, 56 of the 68 MLCs, 15 of the 24 MPs and 28 of the 46 National Executive members have sided with Akhilesh. Also, 4400 of the 5731 National Convention delegates have signed in favour of the chief minister, the order said. The Commission referred to a contention by Mulayam's side that the affidavits filed by Akhilesh's group do not contain averment that they were sworn without any fear, favour or influence as needed and said except for the "above vague allegation", the group did not file any affidavit from any member despite repeated opportunities given to it. "... Neither filed any affidavit from any member nor indicated even the name of one member whose affidavit was considered by him to be suspect or questioned the above numbers claimed by Shri Ram Gopal Yadav either on 13 January, 2017 at the time of hearing or at any time thereafter," the order said. It also mentioned that while the counsel for the Mulayam group wanted to make a mountain of a molehill by referring to a typographical mistake in the affidavits of the Akhilesh group, the counsel had no reply when it was pointed out that its leader Amar Singh had said in the concluding para of his affidavit that "I refute my point on the illegibility of January 1, 2017 convention of Samajwadi Party and unconstitutionality of their resolution thereby". The seven-phased polls in the state begin on February 11. The order came within a fortnight of Akhilesh being anointed the national president of the party. A jubilant Ramgopal Yadav said the EC took the right decision as the Mulayam camp did not have any supporting documents to claim symbol and party name. "The Chief Minister is very happy," he said. About party's plans for an alliance with Congress in the state for the coming elections, he said, "The party president will be deciding it. I hope it will happen." As soon as he got the news, Akhilesh went to meet his father to seek his blessings. Interestingly, the EC announcement came hours after Akhilesh supporters put up his brand new name plate at the SP headquarters that read "Akhilesh Yadav, Party President" strategically positioned directly under his father's nameplate which mentions Mulayam as "Party President". (PTI)

How the Election Commission arrived at the verdict to grant 'bicycle' symbol to Akhilesh Yadav-led faction

A little over 25 years after Mulayam Singh Yadav founded the Samajwadi Party, he lost control over it today after the Election Commission recognised his son and Uttar Pradesh chief minister as its president and allowed him to retain the &#39;bicycle&#39; symbol.

The body blow for the socialist leader came 72 days after the party he floated and nurtured celebrated its silver jubilee on November 5 amid continued tension with Akhilesh.

Barely three weeks later, the Akhilesh Yadav camp held a national convention where the 43-year-old leader was anointed the national president of the party founded by his father replacing him.

Samajwadi Party was one of several parties which emerged after the Janata Dal got fragmented in the early 1990s.

SP, which is primarily an Uttar Pradesh-based party contested Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections around the country, but its successes have largely been limited to the state.

In the assembly election in Madhya Pradesh in 2003, the SP won seven seats, making it the third largest party in the state.

In the 2012 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, it registered a landslide and formed the government.

It would have been a 5th term for Mulayam Singh Yadav as chief minister of state, but he surprised everyone by nominating his son Akhilesh to the coveted position.

Samajawadi Party supported to the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.

It had contested the 2009 general election in alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal and Lok Janshakti Party of Bihar. In the last general election, Samajwadi Party was convincingly defeated by the BJP and its allies in Uttar Pradesh which together won 73 of the state&#39;s 80 Lok Sabha seats.

SP, before today&#39;s poll panel order, was the 13th largest party in Parliament.

(PTI)

The blow for party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav came 72 days after the party he floated celebrated its silver jubilee on November 5

A little over 25 years after Mulayam Singh Yadav founded the Samajwadi Party, he lost control over it today after the Election Commission recognised his son and Uttar Pradesh chief minister as its president and allowed him to retain the 'bicycle' symbol. The body blow for the socialist leader came 72 days after the party he floated and nurtured celebrated its silver jubilee on November 5 amid continued tension with Akhilesh. Barely three weeks later, the Akhilesh Yadav camp held a national convention where the 43-year-old leader was anointed the national president of the party founded by his father replacing him. Samajwadi Party was one of several parties which emerged after the Janata Dal got fragmented in the early 1990s. SP, which is primarily an Uttar Pradesh-based party contested Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections around the country, but its successes have largely been limited to the state. In the assembly election in Madhya Pradesh in 2003, the SP won seven seats, making it the third largest party in the state. In the 2012 assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, it registered a landslide and formed the government. It would have been a 5th term for Mulayam Singh Yadav as chief minister of state, but he surprised everyone by nominating his son Akhilesh to the coveted position. Samajawadi Party supported to the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. It had contested the 2009 general election in alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal and Lok Janshakti Party of Bihar. In the last general election, Samajwadi Party was convincingly defeated by the BJP and its allies in Uttar Pradesh which together won 73 of the state's 80 Lok Sabha seats. SP, before today's poll panel order, was the 13th largest party in Parliament. (PTI)

India: Election body recognises Akhilesh Yadav as Samajwadi Party president, grants symbol

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

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)&nbsp;asked the Samajwadi Party to resolve the ongoing &#39;political drama&#39;&nbsp;and focus on law and order, corruption and&nbsp;lack of administration in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.

BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak told ANI the tussle in the Samajwadi Party clearly indicates that the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh is in total confusion at the moment.

&quot;It is purely a political drama. This is a sign that the party (SP) is in total disarray and they talk about giving a fight to the BJP. There was lot of corruption and now the Samajwadi Party family is seen fighting for power,&quot; he said. &quot;The people are upset with the party (SP). I hope there will be a change in UP,&quot; he added.

The Election Commission will later today hold its first hearing on the dispute in the Samajwadi Party. The poll panel announced the date of hearing on Tuesday, a day after both factions - led by party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav - submitted their rebuttal to each other`s claims over control of the party.

Earlier&nbsp;on Monday, Mulayam met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and Election Commissioners OP Rawat and AK Joti during which he has reportedly reiterated that Ram Gopal Yadav stands expelled from the party and he continues to remain the Samajwadi Party president.

Mulayam, however, later extended an olive branch to his son and said that Akhilesh would become the Chief Minister after the elections.

Earlier, Ram Gopal submitted a dossier containing signed affidavits of support for the Akhilesh faction from party delegates, MPs, MLAs and MLCs. The Akhilesh camp urged the poll body to decide on the matter at the earliest.

(ANI)

'The people are upset with the party (SP). I hope there will be a change in UP,' said BJP general secretary, Vijay Bahadur Pathak

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asked the Samajwadi Party to resolve the ongoing 'political drama' and focus on law and order, corruption and lack of administration in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh. BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak told ANI the tussle in the Samajwadi Party clearly indicates that the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh is in total confusion at the moment. "It is purely a political drama. This is a sign that the party (SP) is in total disarray and they talk about giving a fight to the BJP. There was lot of corruption and now the Samajwadi Party family is seen fighting for power," he said. "The people are upset with the party (SP). I hope there will be a change in UP," he added. The Election Commission will later today hold its first hearing on the dispute in the Samajwadi Party. The poll panel announced the date of hearing on Tuesday, a day after both factions - led by party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav - submitted their rebuttal to each other`s claims over control of the party. Earlier on Monday, Mulayam met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and Election Commissioners OP Rawat and AK Joti during which he has reportedly reiterated that Ram Gopal Yadav stands expelled from the party and he continues to remain the Samajwadi Party president. Mulayam, however, later extended an olive branch to his son and said that Akhilesh would become the Chief Minister after the elections. Earlier, Ram Gopal submitted a dossier containing signed affidavits of support for the Akhilesh faction from party delegates, MPs, MLAs and MLCs. The Akhilesh camp urged the poll body to decide on the matter at the earliest. (ANI)

India: BJP mocks 'political drama' in Samajwadi Party

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. 
&nbsp;

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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>
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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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&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/818074409801895936">January 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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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) 
&nbsp;

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

While all eyes in India&nbsp;are on the Election Commission&#39;s (EC) verdict as to which faction of the Samajwadi Party (SP) it will recognise and allot the &#39;cycle&#39; symbol, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has once again seized the initiative from his father Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Armed with a resolution passed at the party&#39;s national convention on January 1, he has asked 13 banks to stop withdrawal of money, till he authorises a new custodian of party funds. This measure completes the isolation of his father, and uncle Shivpal Yadav, in the ongoing battle for political supremacy.

In 10 scheduled and three non-scheduled banks, the party has parked Rs 583 crore as per its financial statements on March 31, 2016. Sources said that the banks have immediately seized these accounts, making it impossible for Shivpal to withdraw money. So far, Shivpal used to be the authorised signatory to release funds on behalf of the party.

With the poll campaign expected to take a feverish pitch from next week, the decision to choke the funds of the Mulayam and Shivpal factions will have a major bearing on their decision to continue to remain at loggerheads with the chief minister. &quot;Whoever controls the funds will have an upper hand,&quot; said a party leader.

The banks were sent a letter signed by &#39;acting national president&#39; Akhilesh Yadav. The party has parked money in four accounts of State Bank of India, three accounts of Bank of Baroda, two Vijaya Bank and one Canara Bank accounts. Three other accounts are with the UP State Cooperative Bank.

Party insiders are optimistic that the move would intensify the rapprochement between the two factions. Senior party leader Ramgopal Yadav, who was in New Delhi&nbsp;on Friday, deferred for a day to visit the EC to hand over affidavits in support of Akhilesh. The EC has asked both groups to file their claims by Monday.

Talking to reporters, Ramgopal Yadav ruled out that feelers were received from the Mulayam camp to rescind from the decision taken at the party convention. He said that Mulayam was being misled by some vested interests and added that he hoped he would come out of this coterie once he realised that 90 per cent party workers were behind Akhilesh.

Ramgopal said that there was no question of Akhilesh stepping down as national president. He claimed that 212 out of 229 SP MLAs, 56 out of 68 MLCs, and 15 out of 24 MPs, as also some 5,000 delegates have handed over affidavits expressing full confidence in Akhilesh as the party president. Ramgopal said he has now sought time from the EC on Saturday to submit all affidavits in seven copies as demanded by it.

Mulayam, who had earlier flown to Delhi to stake claim to the party symbol, with documents, quietly returned to Lucknow. Shivpal said that they were not in a hurry as they had time till Monday. In Lucknow, the SP supremo had also cancelled a press conference he called on Friday to clear the air as the two sides could not reach any compromise. He even sent Shivpal to the residence of Akhilesh to talk to him.

In fact, leaders of both sides were closeted at the Lucknow residence of state minister Mohd. Azam Khan, who has been trying to play peacemaker for the last few days.

Akhilesh, on Friday, also seized control of the district units of the party with the appointment of party heads in seven more districts, a day after announcing new chiefs for four districts. The existing district presidents in Mainpuri, Moradabad, Fatehpur, Etawah, Farukhabad, Firozabad and Hardoi districts were sacked with immediate effect to pave the way for new faces.

Party insiders said the family, who, till now, were rooting for Mulayam are now backing Akhilesh. Most are Abhay Ram Yadav and Rajpal Yadav &ndash; both uncles of his. As a result, Mulayam Singh is left only with a handful of die-hard loyalists like Shivpal, Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh and actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada.

&nbsp;

(This report first appeared in DNA)

Akhilesh Yadav has asked 13 banks to stop withdrawal of money till he authorises a new custodian of party funds

While all eyes in India are on the Election Commission's (EC) verdict as to which faction of the Samajwadi Party (SP) it will recognise and allot the 'cycle' symbol, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has once again seized the initiative from his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. Armed with a resolution passed at the party's national convention on January 1, he has asked 13 banks to stop withdrawal of money, till he authorises a new custodian of party funds. This measure completes the isolation of his father, and uncle Shivpal Yadav, in the ongoing battle for political supremacy. In 10 scheduled and three non-scheduled banks, the party has parked Rs 583 crore as per its financial statements on March 31, 2016. Sources said that the banks have immediately seized these accounts, making it impossible for Shivpal to withdraw money. So far, Shivpal used to be the authorised signatory to release funds on behalf of the party. With the poll campaign expected to take a feverish pitch from next week, the decision to choke the funds of the Mulayam and Shivpal factions will have a major bearing on their decision to continue to remain at loggerheads with the chief minister. "Whoever controls the funds will have an upper hand," said a party leader. The banks were sent a letter signed by 'acting national president' Akhilesh Yadav. The party has parked money in four accounts of State Bank of India, three accounts of Bank of Baroda, two Vijaya Bank and one Canara Bank accounts. Three other accounts are with the UP State Cooperative Bank. Party insiders are optimistic that the move would intensify the rapprochement between the two factions. Senior party leader Ramgopal Yadav, who was in New Delhi on Friday, deferred for a day to visit the EC to hand over affidavits in support of Akhilesh. The EC has asked both groups to file their claims by Monday. Talking to reporters, Ramgopal Yadav ruled out that feelers were received from the Mulayam camp to rescind from the decision taken at the party convention. He said that Mulayam was being misled by some vested interests and added that he hoped he would come out of this coterie once he realised that 90 per cent party workers were behind Akhilesh. Ramgopal said that there was no question of Akhilesh stepping down as national president. He claimed that 212 out of 229 SP MLAs, 56 out of 68 MLCs, and 15 out of 24 MPs, as also some 5,000 delegates have handed over affidavits expressing full confidence in Akhilesh as the party president. Ramgopal said he has now sought time from the EC on Saturday to submit all affidavits in seven copies as demanded by it. Mulayam, who had earlier flown to Delhi to stake claim to the party symbol, with documents, quietly returned to Lucknow. Shivpal said that they were not in a hurry as they had time till Monday. In Lucknow, the SP supremo had also cancelled a press conference he called on Friday to clear the air as the two sides could not reach any compromise. He even sent Shivpal to the residence of Akhilesh to talk to him. In fact, leaders of both sides were closeted at the Lucknow residence of state minister Mohd. Azam Khan, who has been trying to play peacemaker for the last few days. Akhilesh, on Friday, also seized control of the district units of the party with the appointment of party heads in seven more districts, a day after announcing new chiefs for four districts. The existing district presidents in Mainpuri, Moradabad, Fatehpur, Etawah, Farukhabad, Firozabad and Hardoi districts were sacked with immediate effect to pave the way for new faces. Party insiders said the family, who, till now, were rooting for Mulayam are now backing Akhilesh. Most are Abhay Ram Yadav and Rajpal Yadav – both uncles of his. As a result, Mulayam Singh is left only with a handful of die-hard loyalists like Shivpal, Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh and actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada. (This report first appeared in DNA)

India: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav freezes Samajwadi Party's bank accounts

The deadlock within Uttar Pradesh&#39;s ruling Samajwadi Party showed no signs of easing despite efforts by senior party leaders to broker peace between chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh.

Mulayam Singh, who was removed from the post of party president by Akhilesh and his supporters last week, stayed put in his residence in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow. &nbsp;He met his younger brother Shivpal Yadav and a few senior party leaders including Azam Khan, Ambika Chowdhury, and assembly speaker Mata Prasad Pandey.&nbsp;

Ambika Chowdhury said after the meeting, &quot;All will be well. SP will remain one.&quot;

Meanwhile, SP treasurer and Rajya Sabha legislator Sanjay Seth met Akhilesh as his residence.

The reconciliation efforts had gained momentum yesterday after the Election Commission asked the two sides to file their claims for the party&#39;s &#39;cycle&#39; symbol by January 9.

Malayam&#39;s cousin Ramgopal Yadav claimed the Akhilesh camp had collected signatures of 212 of the 229 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), 56 of the 68 Members of Legislative Councils (MLCs), 15 of the 24 Members of Parliament (MPs) and a majority of the 5,000 delegates, &quot;making it crystal clear as to which was the real SP&quot;.

In Etawah, Mulayam&#39;s brother Abhayram Yadav hailed Shivpal blamed &quot;stubborn Akhilesh&quot; for the ongoing crisis within the family and party. &quot;Akhilesh is stubborn. Shivpal used to take him to school and take care of him,&quot; he told the press.

Shivpal Yadav, who is being blamed by many for the feud, met Akhilesh privately yesterday the first time since the split on Sunday.

SP MP Amar Singh, whose return to the party recently after six years, is being held as one of the reasons for discord between father and son, said he was in favour of a patch-up between the two and that he was not a &quot;hurdle&quot; in the path of the chief minister.

Sources told PTI that they did not rule out the possibility of resignation of &quot;outsider&quot; Amar Singh under a &quot;compromise formula.&quot;

They also speculated on the possible resignation of Shivpal from the post of the party&#39;s state chief, a charge held by Akhilesh before the family feud broke out.

Akhilesh, meanwhile, has has asked 13 banks to stop withdrawal of money, till he authorises a new custodian of party funds. &nbsp;The move makes it impossible for Shivpal, who used to be the authorised signatory to release funds on behalf of the party, to withdraw money.

Party insiders say the family, who, till now, were rooting for Mulayam are now backing Akhilesh. Most are Abhay Ram Yadav and Rajpal Yadav &ndash; both uncles of his. As a result, Mulayam Singh is left only with a handful of die-hard loyalists like Shivpal, Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh and actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Malayam's cousin Ramgopal claimed the Akhilesh camp has collected signatures of 212 of the 229 legislators

The deadlock within Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party showed no signs of easing despite efforts by senior party leaders to broker peace between chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh. Mulayam Singh, who was removed from the post of party president by Akhilesh and his supporters last week, stayed put in his residence in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow. He met his younger brother Shivpal Yadav and a few senior party leaders including Azam Khan, Ambika Chowdhury, and assembly speaker Mata Prasad Pandey. Ambika Chowdhury said after the meeting, "All will be well. SP will remain one." Meanwhile, SP treasurer and Rajya Sabha legislator Sanjay Seth met Akhilesh as his residence. The reconciliation efforts had gained momentum yesterday after the Election Commission asked the two sides to file their claims for the party's 'cycle' symbol by January 9. Malayam's cousin Ramgopal Yadav claimed the Akhilesh camp had collected signatures of 212 of the 229 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), 56 of the 68 Members of Legislative Councils (MLCs), 15 of the 24 Members of Parliament (MPs) and a majority of the 5,000 delegates, "making it crystal clear as to which was the real SP". In Etawah, Mulayam's brother Abhayram Yadav hailed Shivpal blamed "stubborn Akhilesh" for the ongoing crisis within the family and party. "Akhilesh is stubborn. Shivpal used to take him to school and take care of him," he told the press. Shivpal Yadav, who is being blamed by many for the feud, met Akhilesh privately yesterday the first time since the split on Sunday. SP MP Amar Singh, whose return to the party recently after six years, is being held as one of the reasons for discord between father and son, said he was in favour of a patch-up between the two and that he was not a "hurdle" in the path of the chief minister. Sources told PTI that they did not rule out the possibility of resignation of "outsider" Amar Singh under a "compromise formula." They also speculated on the possible resignation of Shivpal from the post of the party's state chief, a charge held by Akhilesh before the family feud broke out. Akhilesh, meanwhile, has has asked 13 banks to stop withdrawal of money, till he authorises a new custodian of party funds. The move makes it impossible for Shivpal, who used to be the authorised signatory to release funds on behalf of the party, to withdraw money. Party insiders say the family, who, till now, were rooting for Mulayam are now backing Akhilesh. Most are Abhay Ram Yadav and Rajpal Yadav – both uncles of his. As a result, Mulayam Singh is left only with a handful of die-hard loyalists like Shivpal, Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh and actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India: Deadlock in Samajwadi Party continues as fresh reconciliation efforts fail

By Manan Kumar

Indications emerged late Tuesday evening that the talks between Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav had failed.

But given the past history of U-turns, only Mulayam knows if this is the end of the drama or more surprises are in store. There is a likelihood of the father-and-son duo meeting again on Wednesday for a quick final bargain to strike a&nbsp;truce. The Election Commission is expected to announce the poll schedule for Uttar Pradesh along with four other states on Wednesday.

Talks ended in a stalemate after Mulayam demanded his own pound of flesh -- that he would remain the President of the party, and that if Amar Singh is ousted from the party, then Ram Gopal Yadav will also have to go. Mulayam, though, agreed to taking brother Shivpal out of state politics by offering him a Rajya Sabha seat, party sources said. Ram Gopal Yadav&#39;s ouster, who also happens to be his mentor, is not acceptable to Akhilesh.

The game of chess between father and son had entered a deadlock after the two were brought at the table by party heavyweight Azam Khan on Tuesday to sort out the feud.

Akhilesh who met Mulayam for four long hours in a one-on-one meeting placed five conditions in clear terms that included, Amar Singh would be completely ousted from the party, there would be no role for uncle Shivpal in state politics, tickets will be&nbsp;distributed as per Akhilesh&#39;s choice, Mulayam will not question alliances and would be made chief guardian of the party.

Sources said Akhilesh conveyed his father that it was either take it or leave it but he would always keep respecting his father by keeping him at the highest pedestal of chief guardian of his party.

As the meeting was being organised, Akhilesh&#39;s mentor and Mulayam&#39;s cousin Ram Gopal Yadav staked claim on the party and its symbol bicycle by showcasing having support of 90 per cent of the elected representatives of the party.

However, the ongoing feud gave union home minister Rajnath Singh and BSP supremo Mayawati to take potshots on the father and son.

Referring to the internecine fight in the Samajwadi Party, Rajnath Singh said the fight between father and son is painful, especially for a sensitive man like him.

The internecine fight is damaging the state and next government will have to undo the damage, added Rajnath.

He, however, chose not to answer whether he would consider the &nbsp;post of chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The BJP has not projected that it&#39;s a chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh yet. Rajnath was the chief minister of UP for about a year and a&nbsp;half between 2000-2002.

Rajnath was also evasive if demonetisation will help the BJP in UP and said &quot;some decisions cannot be looked at from the prism of immediate political gains and losses. The decision to demonetise was taken in national interest.&quot;

Exploiting the feud in Samajwadi Party, Mayawati in Lucknow asked Muslims not to waste their vote by choosing SP as it would divide their vote among two warring factions led by Akhilesh and Shivpal and help BJP win elections.

(This report first appeared in DNA)

Mulayam said he wanted to remain party president and that if Amar Singh had to go, then so did Ram Gopal

By Manan Kumar Indications emerged late Tuesday evening that the talks between Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav had failed. But given the past history of U-turns, only Mulayam knows if this is the end of the drama or more surprises are in store. There is a likelihood of the father-and-son duo meeting again on Wednesday for a quick final bargain to strike a truce. The Election Commission is expected to announce the poll schedule for Uttar Pradesh along with four other states on Wednesday. Talks ended in a stalemate after Mulayam demanded his own pound of flesh -- that he would remain the President of the party, and that if Amar Singh is ousted from the party, then Ram Gopal Yadav will also have to go. Mulayam, though, agreed to taking brother Shivpal out of state politics by offering him a Rajya Sabha seat, party sources said. Ram Gopal Yadav's ouster, who also happens to be his mentor, is not acceptable to Akhilesh. The game of chess between father and son had entered a deadlock after the two were brought at the table by party heavyweight Azam Khan on Tuesday to sort out the feud. Akhilesh who met Mulayam for four long hours in a one-on-one meeting placed five conditions in clear terms that included, Amar Singh would be completely ousted from the party, there would be no role for uncle Shivpal in state politics, tickets will be distributed as per Akhilesh's choice, Mulayam will not question alliances and would be made chief guardian of the party. Sources said Akhilesh conveyed his father that it was either take it or leave it but he would always keep respecting his father by keeping him at the highest pedestal of chief guardian of his party. As the meeting was being organised, Akhilesh's mentor and Mulayam's cousin Ram Gopal Yadav staked claim on the party and its symbol bicycle by showcasing having support of 90 per cent of the elected representatives of the party. However, the ongoing feud gave union home minister Rajnath Singh and BSP supremo Mayawati to take potshots on the father and son. Referring to the internecine fight in the Samajwadi Party, Rajnath Singh said the fight between father and son is painful, especially for a sensitive man like him. The internecine fight is damaging the state and next government will have to undo the damage, added Rajnath. He, however, chose not to answer whether he would consider the post of chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The BJP has not projected that it's a chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh yet. Rajnath was the chief minister of UP for about a year and a half between 2000-2002. Rajnath was also evasive if demonetisation will help the BJP in UP and said "some decisions cannot be looked at from the prism of immediate political gains and losses. The decision to demonetise was taken in national interest." Exploiting the feud in Samajwadi Party, Mayawati in Lucknow asked Muslims not to waste their vote by choosing SP as it would divide their vote among two warring factions led by Akhilesh and Shivpal and help BJP win elections. (This report first appeared in DNA)

UP election: Suspense remains as talks between Akhilesh, Mulayam fail

After&nbsp;Karnataka home minister&#39;s remarks&nbsp;about women following the molestation of several women in Bengaluru, which critics called regressive,&nbsp;another Indian politician named&nbsp;Abu Azmi has made&nbsp;comments of a similar nature.

Asked about the incident, the Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator from Maharashtra blamed the incident on adopting Western culture, saying&nbsp;&quot;the more naked women appear, the more fashionable they are considered&quot;.

&quot;Now-a-days, men and women&nbsp;have been given the liberty to roam around together. If we say anything, we are told we are regressive and old fashioned. I say in my time there was a propriety between men and women when they met. In modern times, the more naked a woman is more fashionable she appears. These things are increasing in the country. It is a black blot on our culture. Western culture is increasing and a stop should be put to this. We should follow culture and traditions of ancient times,&quot; &nbsp;Abu Azmi told ANI, as translated into English from Hindi by WION.

&quot;If my sister or daughter celebrate New Year&#39;s Eve with another man and her brother or husband are not with her, this is not correct,&quot; he later added.

&quot;If there is petrol, it will cause fire. If there is sugar, ants will automatically come towards it.&quot;

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Aaj modern zamane mein jitni aurat nangi nazar aati hai utna usey fashionable kaha jata hai: Abu Azmi, SP <a href="https://t.co/0SGVxLQ3we">pic.twitter.com/0SGVxLQ3we</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/816202855098912768">January 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Agar meri behen-beti suraj dubne ke baad gair mard ke sath 31 Dec manaye aur uska bhai/pati uske sath nahi hai ye theek nahi hai: Abu Azmi <a href="https://t.co/gJVFlv1w89">pic.twitter.com/gJVFlv1w89</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/816204441334358016">January 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Agar kahin petrol hoga aur aag aaegi to aag lagegi hi. Shakkar giri hogi to cheeti wahan zarur aaegi: Abu Azmi on his earlier statement <a href="https://t.co/3xbXhDo99e">pic.twitter.com/3xbXhDo99e</a>
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He said he knew that many people will be angered by his statement but he was &quot;fine with it&quot; because that was the &quot;truth&quot;.

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Isse bahut log mujhse naraz honge lekin chalega kyuki ye sachai hai: Abu Azmi on his earlier statement <a href="https://t.co/LTZL8FPPKF">pic.twitter.com/LTZL8FPPKF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/816206129264869376">January 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Abu Azmi is the president of the Maharashtra state branch of the SP.

National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam on Tuesday condemned the sexist remarks made by the Karnataka home minister and&nbsp;Abu Azmi&nbsp;and said&nbsp;summons had been issued to them&nbsp;for their &quot;disgusting&quot;&nbsp;assertions.

&quot;Politicising any issue leads to issue being covered up and politics becomes more important. It does not matter whether Abu Azmi belongs to one particular party or other party. To be brutally frank, there are men across all parties who make such disgusting statements and they are all to be condemned equally. In this case, it is Abu Azmi and Karnataka Home Minister,&quot; said Kumaramangalam.

Yesterday, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara had caused outrage with his remark that &quot;such incidents do happen on New Year&#39;s day and Christmas&quot; and happened because of &quot;youngsters trying to copy the Westerners not only in the mindset, but even the dressing&quot;.

New Year&#39;s eve revellers mobbed, groped and made lewd remarks to women in Bengaluru&#39;s prominent areas, MG Road and Brigade Road, in the wee hours of &nbsp;Sunday. The incident was captured by CCTV cameras installed in the area.

The minister&#39;s remarks drew an angry response from activists and the&nbsp;NCW&nbsp;chairperson, who demanded the home minister resign and apologise to the women of the country for making such remarks. 
 
(WION with inputs from ANI)

If my sister or daughter celebrate New Year's Eve with another man and her brother or husband are not with her this is not correct: Abu Azmi

After Karnataka home minister's remarks about women following the molestation of several women in Bengaluru, which critics called regressive, another Indian politician named Abu Azmi has made comments of a similar nature. Asked about the incident, the Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator from Maharashtra blamed the incident on adopting Western culture, saying "the more naked women appear, the more fashionable they are considered". "Now-a-days, men and women have been given the liberty to roam around together. If we say anything, we are told we are regressive and old fashioned. I say in my time there was a propriety between men and women when they met. In modern times, the more naked a woman is more fashionable she appears. These things are increasing in the country. It is a black blot on our culture. Western culture is increasing and a stop should be put to this. We should follow culture and traditions of ancient times," Abu Azmi told ANI, as translated into English from Hindi by WION. "If my sister or daughter celebrate New Year's Eve with another man and her brother or husband are not with her, this is not correct," he later added. "If there is petrol, it will cause fire. If there is sugar, ants will automatically come towards it." Aaj modern zamane mein jitni aurat nangi nazar aati hai utna usey fashionable kaha jata hai: Abu Azmi, SP pic.twitter.com/0SGVxLQ3we — ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2017 × Agar meri behen-beti suraj dubne ke baad gair mard ke sath 31 Dec manaye aur uska bhai/pati uske sath nahi hai ye theek nahi hai: Abu Azmi pic.twitter.com/gJVFlv1w89 — ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2017 × Agar kahin petrol hoga aur aag aaegi to aag lagegi hi. Shakkar giri hogi to cheeti wahan zarur aaegi: Abu Azmi on his earlier statement pic.twitter.com/3xbXhDo99e — ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2017 × He said he knew that many people will be angered by his statement but he was "fine with it" because that was the "truth". Isse bahut log mujhse naraz honge lekin chalega kyuki ye sachai hai: Abu Azmi on his earlier statement pic.twitter.com/LTZL8FPPKF — ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2017 × Abu Azmi is the president of the Maharashtra state branch of the SP. National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam on Tuesday condemned the sexist remarks made by the Karnataka home minister and Abu Azmi and said summons had been issued to them for their "disgusting" assertions. "Politicising any issue leads to issue being covered up and politics becomes more important. It does not matter whether Abu Azmi belongs to one particular party or other party. To be brutally frank, there are men across all parties who make such disgusting statements and they are all to be condemned equally. In this case, it is Abu Azmi and Karnataka Home Minister," said Kumaramangalam. Yesterday, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara had caused outrage with his remark that "such incidents do happen on New Year's day and Christmas" and happened because of "youngsters trying to copy the Westerners not only in the mindset, but even the dressing". New Year's eve revellers mobbed, groped and made lewd remarks to women in Bengaluru's prominent areas, MG Road and Brigade Road, in the wee hours of Sunday. The incident was captured by CCTV cameras installed in the area. The minister's remarks drew an angry response from activists and the NCW chairperson, who demanded the home minister resign and apologise to the women of the country for making such remarks. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Bengaluru molestation: Another Indian politician blames Western culture, women

The disqualifications of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and party member Ram Gopal Yadav were never taken back on paper.

Sources said revoking the duo&#39;s disqualification was conditional. It was decided that both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal would not conduct the party&#39;s national convention but they went ahead, and hence their disqualifications were not revoked.

Ram Gopal was sacked on January 1 for the third time by party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav after he declared Akhilesh the new national president of the Samajwadi Party at a special national party convention.

Mulayam termed the national convention &quot;unconstitutional&quot; and dismissed the proposals passed in it as &quot;illegal&quot;.

A letter issued by Mulayam blamed Ram Gopal for &#39;conspiring&#39; to harm the party.

Only the party president can call a&nbsp;convention, and not disqualified members.

On December 30, the feud-riddled Samajwadi Party had hurtled towards a split after Mulayam expelled Akhilesh and Ram Gopal from the party for six years.

The shock move came a day after Akhilesh, the party patriarch&#39;s son, came up with his own list of 235 candidates for the assembly polls.

As the crisis within the Samajwadi Party refuses to die down, Ram Gopal is schedule to meet with the officials of Election Commission to stake claim for the party symbol &#39;Cycle&#39;.

Mulayam, and senior leaders Amar Singh, Shivpal Singh Yadav and Jaya Prada met the Election Commission yesterday over the same issue.

Mulayam on Monday postponed the January 5 emergency convention. No fresh date has been announced for the convention.

(ANI)

The duo's disqualification was not revoked because they went ahead with the party's national convention

The disqualifications of Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and party member Ram Gopal Yadav were never taken back on paper. Sources said revoking the duo's disqualification was conditional. It was decided that both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal would not conduct the party's national convention but they went ahead, and hence their disqualifications were not revoked. Ram Gopal was sacked on January 1 for the third time by party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav after he declared Akhilesh the new national president of the Samajwadi Party at a special national party convention. Mulayam termed the national convention "unconstitutional" and dismissed the proposals passed in it as "illegal". A letter issued by Mulayam blamed Ram Gopal for 'conspiring' to harm the party. Only the party president can call a convention, and not disqualified members. On December 30, the feud-riddled Samajwadi Party had hurtled towards a split after Mulayam expelled Akhilesh and Ram Gopal from the party for six years. The shock move came a day after Akhilesh, the party patriarch's son, came up with his own list of 235 candidates for the assembly polls. As the crisis within the Samajwadi Party refuses to die down, Ram Gopal is schedule to meet with the officials of Election Commission to stake claim for the party symbol 'Cycle'. Mulayam, and senior leaders Amar Singh, Shivpal Singh Yadav and Jaya Prada met the Election Commission yesterday over the same issue. Mulayam on Monday postponed the January 5 emergency convention. No fresh date has been announced for the convention. (ANI)

Yadav vs Yadav: Akhilesh, Ram Gopal's disqualifications were never taken back on paper

On Friday the 30th, dark clouds of foreboding were hovering over the abode of the ruling clan in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India. The most hackneyed trope in the history of humanity- the son at loggerheads with his father which began with God, the Creator and Satan, the Archangel- had been getting repeated here for quite some time. It culminated in the Soft Lion King exiling his Cub Prince for six years. All eyes were on the Cub Prince, who&rsquo;d been heard roaring in anguish and indignation. Would he exact revenge?&nbsp;

But Uttar Pradesh is the land of Lord Ram, the ideal son, who did not flinch when his father, the king of Ayodhya, exiled him for fourteen years. Had the Cub Prince forgotten his culture and traditions? The Lotus Eaters, of the competing house, whispered that the answer was hidden in the foundation of the Lion Kingdom.&nbsp;

What is now Uttar Pradesh was once the playground of the Mughals. Yeah, those foreign barbarians that settled in India, unleashing unspeakable atrocities upon the local Hindus. The Hindus ran helter-skelter seeking deliverance from this tyranny.&nbsp;

Ram Rajya, the ideal statehood, was only a memory of a distant past. The Mughals, however, had one ironical redemptive feature. They did not spare even their own. Fathers and sons were oft seen in conflict with each other. Gasp!&nbsp;

Centuries later, when the Lotus Eaters appropriated Lord Ram, the Soft Lion King embraced the Mughals. In India, Lord Ram and the Mughals are made to stand at the either side of deep fault-lines. The Lion Kingdom, thus, flourished in Uttar Pradesh brandishing the Green mantle in a striking contrast to the Saffron one of the Lotus Eaters.

Was it then more relevant to invoke Aurangzeb than Lord Ram to define the feud in the Lion Kingdom? The Lotus Eaters were gloating at what they called poetic justice. Forgetting Lord Ram and glorifying the Mughals has to come with a price tag, right? Fathers and sons in the Indian culture never fight. No sir, we know not of any discord in the Great Indian Family system. It is all foreign influence. Or the fault of the women. It was a woman that caused the great war of the Mahabharata.&nbsp;

As dawn broke on the eve of the New Year, India was abuzz with speculations regarding Uttar Pradesh. Would the Cub Prince go the Aurangzeb way and dethrone the Soft Lion King? Or would he do a Ghar Wapasi like the obedient Lord Ram?&nbsp;

By afternoon, the Cub Prince emerged victorious as he made a dignified comeback to the lair. It is rumoured that a Mughal Prince, who&rsquo;s known for riding buffaloes, brokered peace between the father and the son, exorcising the Unholy Ghost who is often seen causing mischief.&nbsp;

This comeback, however, raises several questions. And leaked photoshopped emails fan this fire. What if the feud is an orchestrated one to keep the Lion Kingdom intact in the face of the Lotus Eaters&rsquo; attack in a couple of months? This is something that the Lions may have learnt from Lord Ram&rsquo;s arch enemy, Ravan- the king of Lanka. Ravan&rsquo;s malcontent younger brother Vibhishan joined the gang of Lord Ram. While the plebeians hailed his idealism, somebody in the Lankan Empire LOLed. Lanka was to remain with a Lankan prince even if Ravan stood defeated.&nbsp;

It&#39;s all within the family, silly!&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

The orchestra of recent controversial developments in the politics of Uttar Pradesh is inspired by conflicting cultural strains

On Friday the 30th, dark clouds of foreboding were hovering over the abode of the ruling clan in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India. The most hackneyed trope in the history of humanity- the son at loggerheads with his father which began with God, the Creator and Satan, the Archangel- had been getting repeated here for quite some time. It culminated in the Soft Lion King exiling his Cub Prince for six years. All eyes were on the Cub Prince, who’d been heard roaring in anguish and indignation. Would he exact revenge? But Uttar Pradesh is the land of Lord Ram, the ideal son, who did not flinch when his father, the king of Ayodhya, exiled him for fourteen years. Had the Cub Prince forgotten his culture and traditions? The Lotus Eaters, of the competing house, whispered that the answer was hidden in the foundation of the Lion Kingdom. What is now Uttar Pradesh was once the playground of the Mughals. Yeah, those foreign barbarians that settled in India, unleashing unspeakable atrocities upon the local Hindus. The Hindus ran helter-skelter seeking deliverance from this tyranny. Ram Rajya, the ideal statehood, was only a memory of a distant past. The Mughals, however, had one ironical redemptive feature. They did not spare even their own. Fathers and sons were oft seen in conflict with each other. Gasp! Centuries later, when the Lotus Eaters appropriated Lord Ram, the Soft Lion King embraced the Mughals. In India, Lord Ram and the Mughals are made to stand at the either side of deep fault-lines. The Lion Kingdom, thus, flourished in Uttar Pradesh brandishing the Green mantle in a striking contrast to the Saffron one of the Lotus Eaters. Was it then more relevant to invoke Aurangzeb than Lord Ram to define the feud in the Lion Kingdom? The Lotus Eaters were gloating at what they called poetic justice. Forgetting Lord Ram and glorifying the Mughals has to come with a price tag, right? Fathers and sons in the Indian culture never fight. No sir, we know not of any discord in the Great Indian Family system. It is all foreign influence. Or the fault of the women. It was a woman that caused the great war of the Mahabharata. As dawn broke on the eve of the New Year, India was abuzz with speculations regarding Uttar Pradesh. Would the Cub Prince go the Aurangzeb way and dethrone the Soft Lion King? Or would he do a Ghar Wapasi like the obedient Lord Ram? By afternoon, the Cub Prince emerged victorious as he made a dignified comeback to the lair. It is rumoured that a Mughal Prince, who’s known for riding buffaloes, brokered peace between the father and the son, exorcising the Unholy Ghost who is often seen causing mischief. This comeback, however, raises several questions. And leaked photoshopped emails fan this fire. What if the feud is an orchestrated one to keep the Lion Kingdom intact in the face of the Lotus Eaters’ attack in a couple of months? This is something that the Lions may have learnt from Lord Ram’s arch enemy, Ravan- the king of Lanka. Ravan’s malcontent younger brother Vibhishan joined the gang of Lord Ram. While the plebeians hailed his idealism, somebody in the Lankan Empire LOLed. Lanka was to remain with a Lankan prince even if Ravan stood defeated. It's all within the family, silly! (WION)

Satire: Father, Son and the Holy Ghost of Culture

The infighting within Uttar Pradesh&#39;s ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) reached a crescendo after the party&#39;s general secretary, Ramgopal Yadav, declared chief minister Akhilesh Yadav as the party&#39;s national president in place of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Mulayam Singh retaliated by expelling Ramgopal, who is also his cousin, for six years -- for the second time in three days and the third time since October. He also called the National Executive meet called by Ramgopal &quot;unconstitutional&quot; and &quot;illegal&quot;, since it was called without consulting him, the party&#39;s national secretary.

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Mulayam Singh Yadav terms today&#39;s National Exec meet called by Ramgopal Yadav as unconstitutional &amp; decisions taken in the meet as illegal
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/815478773889912832">January 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;The parliamentary board of the party declares all the proposals, decisions and the convention itself illegal and expels Ram Gopal, who convened the convention, for six years,&quot; the letter stated.

Mulayam Singh has called a party convention of his own on January 5 in the state capital, Lucknow. He had earlier issued a letter asking party workers not to attend the National Executive meet called by Ramgopal Yadav.

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Mulayam Singh Yadav writes letter to party workers, asks them not to attend National Executive meet called by Ramgopal Yadav <a href="https://t.co/cigXo5sSn8">pic.twitter.com/cigXo5sSn8</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/815430590266687488">January 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Soon after he was declared party president, Akhilesh Yadav said, &quot;If there is a conspiracy against Netaji or the party then it will be my responsibility as son to stand against conspirators,&quot; PTI reported.

Akhilesh defended his step, saying the decision was a tough one but one he &quot;had to take&quot;. He will reportedly move the Election Commission tomorrow, staking a claim to the party&#39;s symbol, the cycle, sources told news agency ANI.

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Sometimes to protect the ones you love you must make the right decision. What I did today was a tough decision but one that I had to take. <a href="https://t.co/M5xZYEZhii">pic.twitter.com/M5xZYEZhii</a>
&mdash; Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/815588811854008320">January 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

At the National Executive&nbsp;meet called by him, Ramgopal also removed&nbsp;Shivpal Yadav from the post of president of the SP&#39;s state unit and &quot;sacked&quot;&nbsp;Amar Singh from the party.

Party vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda, who was also expelled from the party for attending the meeting, told ANI, &quot;My best wishes to Akhilesh on becoming party president. He will work under the leadership and guidance of Netaji.&quot;

Akhilesh Yadav&#39;s supporters removed Shivpal Yadav&#39;s nameplate from the party office in Lucknow.&nbsp;

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CM Akhilesh Yadav&#39;s supporters create chaos at Samajwadi Party&#39;s office in Lucknow, remove Shivpal Yadav&#39;s nameplate from party office <a href="https://t.co/agCxxgCfOs">pic.twitter.com/agCxxgCfOs</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/815518411560095745">January 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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They earlier celebrated outside the SP office after he was elected president at the national executive.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a>: Akhilesh supporters dance and celebrate outside SP office in Lucknow after he was elected SP&#39;s Pres at today&#39;s national executive <a href="https://t.co/UvAYKq0ozS">pic.twitter.com/UvAYKq0ozS</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/815530221671567360">January 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Lucknow: Akhilesh supporters dance and celebrate outside SP office after he was elected SP&#39;s president at today&#39;s national executive <a href="https://t.co/ahGsHAPSY4">pic.twitter.com/ahGsHAPSY4</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/815527166444081152">January 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Mulayam Singh&#39;s letter, meanwhile,&nbsp;makes no mention of Akhilesh Yadav. It states that the candidates&#39; list issued earlier for the 2017 assembly polls has been endorsed and a decision on the remaining seats will be taken soon.

The father-son trust hit a low in mid-August when Akhilesh got into an acrimonious power struggle with his uncle, Shivpal Yadav.&nbsp;

Things took a turn for the worse on December 30 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. He and Ramgopal Yadav were expelled from the party for six years the same day by Mulayam Singh.&nbsp;

However, father and son met the next day and Mulayam Singh revoked the suspension, saying he and Akhilesh would jointly prepare the list of election candidates.

The election in Uttar Pradesh is the largest regional election in India.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A convention called by Ram Gopal this morning removed Mulayam Singh from the post of national president, replacing him with Akhilesh Yadav

The infighting within Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) reached a crescendo after the party's general secretary, Ramgopal Yadav, declared chief minister Akhilesh Yadav as the party's national president in place of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. Mulayam Singh retaliated by expelling Ramgopal, who is also his cousin, for six years -- for the second time in three days and the third time since October. He also called the National Executive meet called by Ramgopal "unconstitutional" and "illegal", since it was called without consulting him, the party's national secretary. Mulayam Singh Yadav terms today's National Exec meet called by Ramgopal Yadav as unconstitutional & decisions taken in the meet as illegal — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 1, 2017 × "The parliamentary board of the party declares all the proposals, decisions and the convention itself illegal and expels Ram Gopal, who convened the convention, for six years," the letter stated. Mulayam Singh has called a party convention of his own on January 5 in the state capital, Lucknow. He had earlier issued a letter asking party workers not to attend the National Executive meet called by Ramgopal Yadav. Mulayam Singh Yadav writes letter to party workers, asks them not to attend National Executive meet called by Ramgopal Yadav pic.twitter.com/cigXo5sSn8 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 1, 2017 × Soon after he was declared party president, Akhilesh Yadav said, "If there is a conspiracy against Netaji or the party then it will be my responsibility as son to stand against conspirators," PTI reported. Akhilesh defended his step, saying the decision was a tough one but one he "had to take". He will reportedly move the Election Commission tomorrow, staking a claim to the party's symbol, the cycle, sources told news agency ANI. Sometimes to protect the ones you love you must make the right decision. What I did today was a tough decision but one that I had to take. pic.twitter.com/M5xZYEZhii — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) January 1, 2017 × At the National Executive meet called by him, Ramgopal also removed Shivpal Yadav from the post of president of the SP's state unit and "sacked" Amar Singh from the party. Party vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda, who was also expelled from the party for attending the meeting, told ANI, "My best wishes to Akhilesh on becoming party president. He will work under the leadership and guidance of Netaji." Akhilesh Yadav's supporters removed Shivpal Yadav's nameplate from the party office in Lucknow. CM Akhilesh Yadav's supporters create chaos at Samajwadi Party's office in Lucknow, remove Shivpal Yadav's nameplate from party office pic.twitter.com/agCxxgCfOs — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 1, 2017 × They earlier celebrated outside the SP office after he was elected president at the national executive. #WATCH: Akhilesh supporters dance and celebrate outside SP office in Lucknow after he was elected SP's Pres at today's national executive pic.twitter.com/UvAYKq0ozS — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 1, 2017 × Lucknow: Akhilesh supporters dance and celebrate outside SP office after he was elected SP's president at today's national executive pic.twitter.com/ahGsHAPSY4 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 1, 2017 × Mulayam Singh's letter, meanwhile, makes no mention of Akhilesh Yadav. It states that the candidates' list issued earlier for the 2017 assembly polls has been endorsed and a decision on the remaining seats will be taken soon. The father-son trust hit a low in mid-August when Akhilesh got into an acrimonious power struggle with his uncle, Shivpal Yadav. Things took a turn for the worse on December 30 after Akhilesh "circulated" his own list of 235 candidates for the upcoming state elections parallel to the party's official list of 393 nominees. He and Ramgopal Yadav were expelled from the party for six years the same day by Mulayam Singh. However, father and son met the next day and Mulayam Singh revoked the suspension, saying he and Akhilesh would jointly prepare the list of election candidates. The election in Uttar Pradesh is the largest regional election in India. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Akhilesh Yadav supporters declare him Samajwadi Party president, Mulayam Singh calls it 'unconstitutional'

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
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/815111607885828096">December 31, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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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>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/815114138179411968">December 31, 2016</a></blockquote>
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He also said the SP would &quot;fight unitedly against communal forces&quot; in the elections.

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Samajwadi Party will fight unitedly against communal forces: Shivpal Yadav <a href="https://t.co/a8dGKRadRy">pic.twitter.com/a8dGKRadRy</a>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/815121069887483905">December 31, 2016</a></blockquote>
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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

Rajya Sabha MP Ramgopal Yadav, who was expelled from the Samajwadi Party in October for six years in the midst of a raging feud in the Yadav clan, was today reinstated in the party.

Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said the expulsion of his cousin Ramgopal Yadav has been revoked.

&quot;Expulsion of Ramgopal Yadav has been revoked. He will continue as leader of party in the Rajya Sabha, spokesman, party national general secretary and member of party&#39;s national parliamentary board,&quot; Mulayam Singh said in a release issued here.

Ramgopal, who is considered close to Uttar Pradesh&nbsp;Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, was expelled from the party for six years on October 23 on the instructions of the SP supremo.

Ramgopal is a cousin of Mulayam and Shivpal and is considered to play the role of a &quot;think tank&quot;. He had strongly supported Akhilesh in the family feud in the Yadav clan.

While announcing his expulsion, Shivpal had levelled serious allegations against Ramgopal, saying he was working as part of a &quot;conspiracy&quot; in collusion with the BJP to weaken the SP and tarnish the Akhilesh Yadav government&#39;s image.

&quot;Ramgopal had met thrice with top leaders of the saffron party,&quot; Shivpal had said, accusing his cousin of &quot;patronising and shielding corrupt elements.&quot;

Ramgopal was also blamed for the SP&#39;s breakup from the &quot;mahagathbandhan&quot; (grand alliance) in the Bihar election last year.

He was sacked hours after Shivpal and three other ministers considered close to him were sacked from the state cabinet by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

Ramgopal Yadav had strongly supported Akhilesh in the feud involving Uttar Pradesh's prominent political family

Rajya Sabha MP Ramgopal Yadav, who was expelled from the Samajwadi Party in October for six years in the midst of a raging feud in the Yadav clan, was today reinstated in the party. Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said the expulsion of his cousin Ramgopal Yadav has been revoked. "Expulsion of Ramgopal Yadav has been revoked. He will continue as leader of party in the Rajya Sabha, spokesman, party national general secretary and member of party's national parliamentary board," Mulayam Singh said in a release issued here. Ramgopal, who is considered close to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, was expelled from the party for six years on October 23 on the instructions of the SP supremo. Ramgopal is a cousin of Mulayam and Shivpal and is considered to play the role of a "think tank". He had strongly supported Akhilesh in the family feud in the Yadav clan. While announcing his expulsion, Shivpal had levelled serious allegations against Ramgopal, saying he was working as part of a "conspiracy" in collusion with the BJP to weaken the SP and tarnish the Akhilesh Yadav government's image. "Ramgopal had met thrice with top leaders of the saffron party," Shivpal had said, accusing his cousin of "patronising and shielding corrupt elements." Ramgopal was also blamed for the SP's breakup from the "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) in the Bihar election last year. He was sacked hours after Shivpal and three other ministers considered close to him were sacked from the state cabinet by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. (PTI)

India: Mulayam Singh Yadav revokes cousin Ramgopal's expulsion from party

A day after a Pakistan High Commissioner staffer was expelled from India over charges of espionage, a personal assistant of a Samajwadi Party&#39;s (SP) member of parliament (MP) in the upper house was detained by Delhi Police on Friday night.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Farhat, the aide of Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament) MP Munabbar Saleem, was detained last night, said a senior crime branch officer, adding his interrogation is underway, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Delhi Police is trying to nab other members of the espionage racket after Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar was reportedly caught receiving defence secret documents about the&nbsp;deployment of Indian security forces here on October 26.

&nbsp;

Two others, Maulana Ramzan and Subhash Jangir, residents of Nagaur, Rajasthan, were held along with Akhtar. Another accused Sohaib was detained in Jodhpur and brought to Delhi by the police where he was arrested, PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The personal assistant of Samajwadi party's member of parliament was detained by Delhi Police last night

A day after a Pakistan High Commissioner staffer was expelled from India over charges of espionage, a personal assistant of a Samajwadi Party's (SP) member of parliament (MP) in the upper house was detained by Delhi Police on Friday night. Farhat, the aide of Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament) MP Munabbar Saleem, was detained last night, said a senior crime branch officer, adding his interrogation is underway, Indian news agency PTI reported. Meanwhile, Delhi Police is trying to nab other members of the espionage racket after Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar was reportedly caught receiving defence secret documents about the deployment of Indian security forces here on October 26. Two others, Maulana Ramzan and Subhash Jangir, residents of Nagaur, Rajasthan, were held along with Akhtar. Another accused Sohaib was detained in Jodhpur and brought to Delhi by the police where he was arrested, PTI reported. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Pakistan espionage case: Indian MP's close aide detained?

Months ahead of the state elections in northern India&#39;s Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today asserted that the &quot;party and the family are united&quot;. The remark came amid a deepening rift in the ruling party.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As he addressed a press conference two days after his brother, Shivpal Yadav was sacked from the cabinet for the second time by son and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, the party supremo addressed a press conference flanked by party unit chief, Shivpal, and three other sacked ministers, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;My family and party are united. All workers are united. There are some conspirators, who do not have any mass base,&quot; he was quoted as saying.

&nbsp;

&quot;There is not &#39;matbhed&#39; (difference) or &#39;manbhed&#39; (ill feelings) among our leaders,&quot; Mulayam added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The seasoned political leader also stressed that the party had come to power in 2012 because of him only and still Akhilesh was made the chief minister. He however, ruled out becoming the chief minister if the party is elected again.

&nbsp;

He also dodged the question about the chief ministerial candidate for 2017. &nbsp;&quot;Ours is a democratic party. First let us get majority and then elected representatives will select their CM. Presently, Akhilesh is CM, does anyone have any problem?&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

When asked if Shivpal will be reinstated to the party, Mulayam said he leaves the decision on Akhilesh.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;I leave this to CM.... You ask him why he made them ministers and why he sacked them.&quot;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp;

Mulayam said chief minister and son, Akhilesh, will decide if brother Shivpal will be reinstated in the northern state's cabinet

Months ahead of the state elections in northern India's Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav today asserted that the "party and the family are united". The remark came amid a deepening rift in the ruling party. As he addressed a press conference two days after his brother, Shivpal Yadav was sacked from the cabinet for the second time by son and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, the party supremo addressed a press conference flanked by party unit chief, Shivpal, and three other sacked ministers, Indian news agency PTI reported. "My family and party are united. All workers are united. There are some conspirators, who do not have any mass base," he was quoted as saying. "There is not 'matbhed' (difference) or 'manbhed' (ill feelings) among our leaders," Mulayam added. The seasoned political leader also stressed that the party had come to power in 2012 because of him only and still Akhilesh was made the chief minister. He however, ruled out becoming the chief minister if the party is elected again. He also dodged the question about the chief ministerial candidate for 2017. "Ours is a democratic party. First let us get majority and then elected representatives will select their CM. Presently, Akhilesh is CM, does anyone have any problem?" When asked if Shivpal will be reinstated to the party, Mulayam said he leaves the decision on Akhilesh. "I leave this to CM.... You ask him why he made them ministers and why he sacked them." (WION with inputs from PTI)

SP turf war: 'Party, family are united,'  says Mulayam as he keeps future plan under wraps

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

The ruling Samajwadi Party appeared to be headed for a split today as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father and&nbsp;party supremo Mulayam Singh were engaged in an open face-off, sacking each other&#39;s loyalists Shivpal Yadav and Ramgopal Yadav.

While Akhilesh sacked Shivpal, his uncle and the party&#39;s state unit chief, along with three other &quot;pro-Amar Singh&quot; ministers from his Cabinet, his father hit back by dismissing Ramgopal, his cousin who is an Akhilesh loyalist&nbsp;and the SP&#39;s national general secretary, from the party for six years.

The fast-paced developments unfolded this morning when Akhilesh held a meeting of party legislators, a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers called by Mulayam and at which&nbsp;some more tough decisions were expected to be taken.

After the meeting, the chief minister recommended to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (minister&nbsp;of state,&nbsp;independent charge) be sacked. This was immediately accepted.

While the meeting was underway, hundreds of Akhilesh&#39;s supporters collected outside his residence, raising slogans in his favour.

Significantly, before Akhilesh announced the sacking of Shivpal and the three other ministers, Ramgopal issued a letter written to party workers, expressing support for the chief minister and warning those opposing him.

&quot;Those who oppose Akhilesh won&#39;t be able to show their faces in the legislative assembly. Where Akhilesh is, victory follows,&quot; he said in the letter.

After his sacking, Shivpal met Mulayam at his residence.

Hours later, he announced that the SP chief had expelled Ramgopal from the party for six years.

Shivpal told mediapersons that Ramgopal was colluding with the BJP and had thrice met a senior leader of the saffron party to save himself and his son from a CBI probe in connection with their&nbsp;alleged involvement in the Yadav Singh Noida scam probe.

He said he was not worried about being dropped from the government and declared that the state Assembly elections would be fought under the leadership of Mulayam.

Launching a scathing attack on Ramgopal, Shivpal said he was tarnishing the image of the SP by dabbling in corruption, colluding with the BJP and weakening Mulayam&#39;s leadership.

&quot;On Mulayam&#39;s directive, Ramgopal is being stripped of his posts of party spokesman and national general secretary and is being expelled from the party for six years,&quot; Shivpal said, giving rise to intense speculation about an imminent split. 
 
(PTI)

 
&nbsp;

The chief minister and his father have both sacked each others loyalists, giving rise to intense speculation about an imminent split

The ruling Samajwadi Party appeared to be headed for a split today as Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father and party supremo Mulayam Singh were engaged in an open face-off, sacking each other's loyalists Shivpal Yadav and Ramgopal Yadav. While Akhilesh sacked Shivpal, his uncle and the party's state unit chief, along with three other "pro-Amar Singh" ministers from his Cabinet, his father hit back by dismissing Ramgopal, his cousin who is an Akhilesh loyalist and the SP's national general secretary, from the party for six years. The fast-paced developments unfolded this morning when Akhilesh held a meeting of party legislators, a day ahead of a mega meeting of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs and ministers called by Mulayam and at which some more tough decisions were expected to be taken. After the meeting, the chief minister recommended to Governor Ram Naik that Shivpal, Narad Rai and Om Prakash Singh (all cabinet ministers) and Sayeda Shadab Fatima (minister of state, independent charge) be sacked. This was immediately accepted. While the meeting was underway, hundreds of Akhilesh's supporters collected outside his residence, raising slogans in his favour. Significantly, before Akhilesh announced the sacking of Shivpal and the three other ministers, Ramgopal issued a letter written to party workers, expressing support for the chief minister and warning those opposing him. "Those who oppose Akhilesh won't be able to show their faces in the legislative assembly. Where Akhilesh is, victory follows," he said in the letter. After his sacking, Shivpal met Mulayam at his residence. Hours later, he announced that the SP chief had expelled Ramgopal from the party for six years. Shivpal told mediapersons that Ramgopal was colluding with the BJP and had thrice met a senior leader of the saffron party to save himself and his son from a CBI probe in connection with their alleged involvement in the Yadav Singh Noida scam probe. He said he was not worried about being dropped from the government and declared that the state Assembly elections would be fought under the leadership of Mulayam. Launching a scathing attack on Ramgopal, Shivpal said he was tarnishing the image of the SP by dabbling in corruption, colluding with the BJP and weakening Mulayam's leadership. "On Mulayam's directive, Ramgopal is being stripped of his posts of party spokesman and national general secretary and is being expelled from the party for six years," Shivpal said, giving rise to intense speculation about an imminent split. (PTI)

India: Samajwadi Party on brink of split?

As the rift in the ruling Samajwadi Party of Uttar Pradesh deepened, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was reprimanded by his father and party supremo, Mulayam Singh Yadav at a party meeting held in state capital Lucknow today. The meeting was held&nbsp;a day after the chief minister&nbsp;sacked uncle and senior party leader, Shivpal Yadav from the cabinet.

&nbsp;

In a stern warning to son Akhilesh, Mulayam said the former &quot;has lost his mind&quot; after getting the chief minister&#39;s chair. &quot;Drunkards, goons have been added to the party. You get some power and it goes to your head. Few leaders know nothing except flattery. Some ministers are just busy being sycophants and the people who can&#39;t think big, can&#39;t be a minister,&quot; he was quoted as saying by Indian news agency ANI.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Mulayam also gave Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s example to him saying: &quot;Look at Prime Minister Modi, he became the PM with dedication and struggle. He comes from a poor family, says he can&#39;t leave his mother.&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The &nbsp;party meeting at the Lucknow party office&nbsp;witnessed a&nbsp;heating exchange between the members of state&#39;s first family with state elections just a couple of months away in the northern state.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;I am extremely upset with the rift within the party. I know it&#39;s a difficult situation. Those who can&#39;t take criticism cannot become leaders,&quot; Mulayam said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;We are fighting among ourselves. We should decrease our differences. Those who are indulging in sloganeering will be thrown out of the party. I have given respect to the youth and no one else,&quot; he added.

&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, protests erupted outside Lucknow party office between the loyalists of the chief minister and Shivpal Yadav. This is the second time that Shivpal has been sacked from the party.&nbsp;

 
Indian PM urges electorate to get rid of regional parties &nbsp;

As he addressed a rally in in Mahoba, a district in Bundelkhand area of UP, Indian Prime Minister today urged the people to break the cycle of the regional parties --Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party -- getting elected again and again in the state, ANI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Saying that people should try to make Uttar Pradesh an &quot;Uttam (best) Pradesh&quot;, Modi said: &quot;The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party both loot in their own turns, and when the other comes to power they never take action against the other. SP-BSP-BSP-SP. The power keeps shifting, and in this game, this land never reached its potential. You have faced enough. If you want to escape this trap then you need to get out of this trap of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. Let&#39;s break the cycle of SP-BSP and choose instead to make Uttar Pradesh an &quot;Uttam Pradesh&quot;. &quot;

&nbsp;

Escalating his attack on the Samajwadi Party, the Prime Minister said the farmers in Mahoba have faced grave injustice as this land is capable of reaping gold but farmers got no water.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

Mulayam hailed Indian PM for his leadership skills, but Modi said the ruling party 'looted' Uttar Pradesh during its tenure

As the rift in the ruling Samajwadi Party of Uttar Pradesh deepened, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was reprimanded by his father and party supremo, Mulayam Singh Yadav at a party meeting held in state capital Lucknow today. The meeting was held a day after the chief minister sacked uncle and senior party leader, Shivpal Yadav from the cabinet. In a stern warning to son Akhilesh, Mulayam said the former "has lost his mind" after getting the chief minister's chair. "Drunkards, goons have been added to the party. You get some power and it goes to your head. Few leaders know nothing except flattery. Some ministers are just busy being sycophants and the people who can't think big, can't be a minister," he was quoted as saying by Indian news agency ANI. Mulayam also gave Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's example to him saying: "Look at Prime Minister Modi, he became the PM with dedication and struggle. He comes from a poor family, says he can't leave his mother." The party meeting at the Lucknow party office witnessed a heating exchange between the members of state's first family with state elections just a couple of months away in the northern state. "I am extremely upset with the rift within the party. I know it's a difficult situation. Those who can't take criticism cannot become leaders," Mulayam said. "We are fighting among ourselves. We should decrease our differences. Those who are indulging in sloganeering will be thrown out of the party. I have given respect to the youth and no one else," he added. Earlier in the day, protests erupted outside Lucknow party office between the loyalists of the chief minister and Shivpal Yadav. This is the second time that Shivpal has been sacked from the party. Indian PM urges electorate to get rid of regional parties As he addressed a rally in in Mahoba, a district in Bundelkhand area of UP, Indian Prime Minister today urged the people to break the cycle of the regional parties --Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party -- getting elected again and again in the state, ANI reported. Saying that people should try to make Uttar Pradesh an "Uttam (best) Pradesh", Modi said: "The Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party both loot in their own turns, and when the other comes to power they never take action against the other. SP-BSP-BSP-SP. The power keeps shifting, and in this game, this land never reached its potential. You have faced enough. If you want to escape this trap then you need to get out of this trap of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. Let's break the cycle of SP-BSP and choose instead to make Uttar Pradesh an "Uttam Pradesh". " Escalating his attack on the Samajwadi Party, the Prime Minister said the farmers in Mahoba have faced grave injustice as this land is capable of reaping gold but farmers got no water. (WION with inputs from ANI)

SP turf war: Modi attacks Samajwadi Party after Mulayam gives Indian PM's example to son

Rift in the first family of India&#39;s Uttar Pradesh might be nearing an end&nbsp;with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav announcing on Friday that his uncle Shivpal Yadav will be given back all&nbsp;his portfolios and sacked minister&nbsp;Gayatri Prajapati will be reinducted as cabinet minister, issues which had triggered a public war between the two.

The &nbsp;chief of ruling Samajwadi Party (SP),&nbsp;Mulayam Singh Yadav,&nbsp;had rushed to the state&#39;s capital earlier on Thursday&nbsp;to bridge the differences between brother Shivpal and son Akhilesh. The &nbsp;announcement came in after reaching a compromise formula, according to media reports.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;There can be no division in the party, till I am there,&quot; &nbsp;the SP supremo was quoted as saying in the media reports.&nbsp; 
 
 
Following the discusssion between the chief minister, Akhilesh and Shivpal,&nbsp;Akhilesh&nbsp;made the announcement on Twitter.

<div class="twitter-block">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Portfolios will be given back to Mr. Shivpal Singh Yadav.
&mdash; CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOfficeUP/status/776789098195451904">September 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

 
 
Akhilesh had stripped his uncle of&nbsp;key cabinet positions earlier this week, ensuing an all out&nbsp;war&nbsp;following&nbsp;&nbsp;Akhilesh&#39;s&nbsp;removal&nbsp;as party&#39;s state unit chief. Speculations were rife that Shivpal&#39;s removal from key portfolios of the cabinet came after&nbsp;Akhilesh, who held the post of state party president for about four years, was replaced by his uncle Shivpal.&nbsp;

Mulayam and Akhilesh had earlier rejected Shivpal&#39;s resignation from the government and the party.

&quot;Netaji (Mulayam) has heard all of us. He will talk to some others if he wants and will take a decision by tomorrow,&quot; Shivpal said on Friday, indicating a truce was on the anvil.

Akhilesh said that he has rejected Shivpal&#39;s resignation &nbsp;will comply with whatever his father directs. &quot;Netaji (Mulayam) will find a solution (to the current crisis) and everyone will accept it,&quot; he said.

Shivpal, meanwhile, said he will as the state unit chief and is preparing for the&nbsp;electoral challenge ahead but was evasive whether he will go back to the government.

&quot;That (resignation from party post) has not been accepted. When I have said that for me, Netaji&#39;s ( the supremo&#39;s)&nbsp;hint is an order...Akhilesh has also said so. So where is the feud anymore,&quot; he said.

At the same time, he indicated that he may not return to the government. &quot;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.&quot;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Akhilesh Yadav had stripped Shivpal Yadav of his key portfolios?ensuing a family feud ahead of elections in India's most populous state

Rift in the first family of India's Uttar Pradesh might be nearing an end with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav announcing on Friday that his uncle Shivpal Yadav will be given back all his portfolios and sacked minister Gayatri 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 Thursday to 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, Akhilesh made the announcement on Twitter. Portfolios will be given back to Mr. Shivpal Singh Yadav. — CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) September 16, 2016 Akhilesh had stripped his uncle of key cabinet positions earlier this week, ensuing an all out war following Akhilesh's removal as party's state unit chief. Speculations were rife that Shivpal's removal from key portfolios of the cabinet came after Akhilesh, 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 the electoral 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)

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

Amid open feud in the first family of India&#39;s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, newly appointed state chief of ruling Samajwadi Party,&nbsp;Shivpal Yadav, resigned from the party on Thursday night.&nbsp; 
 
According to media reports, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav rushed to the state&#39;s capital, Lucknow, from the national capital, New Delhi, on Thursday evening apparently to resolve the differences between his son and chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, and brother Shivpal.&nbsp; 
 
Following the meeting, however, Shivpal resigned from all party posts and the&nbsp;ruling government. &nbsp;His wife, Sarla, also resigned from the post of District Cooperative Bank chairperson, Etawah. While son Aditya submitted resignation as the chairman of Pradeshik Cooperative Federation, the sources added.&nbsp; 
 
However, Indian news agency, ANI, said that the chief minister has rejected his uncle&#39;s resignation.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
It&#39;s pertinent to mention that deepening fissures in Uttar Pradesh&#39;s first family may pose as a challenge for the party that&#39;s gearing up for the state elections slated for next year. Samajwadi Party is one of the two prominent regional parties in the state, having a population of about 200 million, apart from Bahujan Samaj Party headed by forrmer UP chief minister Mayawati.&nbsp; 
 
Shivpal was appointed as party&#39;s state president earlier this week, a post that Akhilesh had held for about four years. Later, he was removed from three key portfolios in the cabinet of the Akhilesh-led state government.&nbsp; 
 
India&#39;s ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and grand old party Congress have already sounded the election bugle in the &nbsp;state that is represented by about 90 parliamentarians in the lower house of Indian parliament.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The newly appointed state party president resigned from the ruling Samajwadi party and the cabinet

Amid open feud in the first family of India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, newly appointed state chief of ruling Samajwadi Party, Shivpal Yadav, resigned from the party on Thursday night. According to media reports, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav rushed to the state's capital, Lucknow, from the national capital, New Delhi, on Thursday evening apparently to resolve the differences between his son and chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav, and brother Shivpal. Following the meeting, however, Shivpal resigned from all party posts and the ruling government. His wife, Sarla, also resigned from the post of District Cooperative Bank chairperson, Etawah. While son Aditya submitted resignation as the chairman of Pradeshik Cooperative Federation, the sources added. However, Indian news agency, ANI, said that the chief minister has rejected his uncle's resignation. It's pertinent to mention that deepening fissures in Uttar Pradesh's first family may pose as a challenge for the party that's gearing up for the state elections slated for next year. Samajwadi Party is one of the two prominent regional parties in the state, having a population of about 200 million, apart from Bahujan Samaj Party headed by forrmer UP chief minister Mayawati. Shivpal was appointed as party's state president earlier this week, a post that Akhilesh had held for about four years. Later, he was removed from three key portfolios in the cabinet of the Akhilesh-led state government. India's ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and grand old party Congress have already sounded the election bugle in the state that is represented by about 90 parliamentarians in the lower house of Indian parliament. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India: Shivpal Yadav's resignation bares feud in Uttar Pradesh's first family

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