The grand function to celebrate the 70th birthday of SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav and the release of a book penned by him failed in its objective of ending the bickering within the Yadav family, that erupted with the demerger of the Quami Ekta Dal from the ruling Party. The function was organised at Dr Ambedkar auditorium of RMl law University in lucknow.

 Taking a break from tradition, Shivpal Yadav and Amar Singh expressed their discontentment by skipping the stage at the launch of Ramgopal Yadav’s book in lucknow on Wednesday.

Both leaders also came late at the venue after the cake was cut in the presence of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Despite being present at the launch, both leaders skipped the stage and came up only when their names were announced.

SP sources said that Shivpal Yadav without much effort, demonstrated his resentment against the decision of the SP Parliamentary Board to reject the merger of QED with the SP on June 25. The Board is understood to have rejected the merger at the behest of CM Akhilesh Yadav.

Fighting a war of perception with the BJP, the CM is averse to the idea of having any truck with tainted political leaders like don-turned-politicians ahead of the crucial Assembly polls.

During the 90 minute proceedings of the birthday and book launch, Shivpal Yadav did not have any eye contact with the leaders sitting on the dais including Mulayam, Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav.

The difference within the Yadav family started following dispute over the merger of Quami Ekta Dal (QED) in the party.