The power struggle within the Samajwadi Party’s first family has now spilled over to the clan’s native place Sefai in Etawah. Hundreds of banners carrying the message ‘Akhilesh Yadav should be CM again’ have been put up in Sefai.

Samajwadi Party sources said there is nothing unusual in such banners being put up by enthusiastic party cadres. However, it surfaced that the banners were put up at the instance of Akshay SP MP from Ferozabad, Yadav — the son of expelled SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav. 

What has intrigued political pundits is the colour of these banners as instead of the traditional red and green colour of the party flag, the banners are white in colour.

Several hundred big and small banners have been put up in Etawah, Saifai and in Ferozabad also since Friday night, triggering speculation among the cadres in Etawah and nearby areas. The banners have only one photo — that of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. However, the banners also carry the name of Akshay Yadav.

A close associate of Akshay Yadav, Anuj Dikshit said that there was no need of Samajwadi Party colours on the banners as Akhilesh Yadav is a mass leader and he doesn’t need any colour or flag to stamp his identity among masses.

Former Etawah district SP chief Rajeev Yadav said,  “Akhilesh is a tall leader of Samajwadi Party and he is also the Chief Minister. Hence, there was no need for any party colour in these banners.’’

Akshay had issued statements in support of Akhilesh even after his father was expelled by Mulayam Singh Yadav on October 23. Akshay had charged Shivpal Yadav of being jealous of the CM as he failed to get the top job in UP in March 2012’.

 “My father had supported the candidature of Akhilesh for the CM’s post. Since then Shivpal has been nursing a grudge against Akhilesh and my father,’’ he said.

A senior SP leader said  after Shivpal sacking from the cabinet,  the single biggest challenge before Akhilesh is to  establish his control over the party apparatus. 

 “This is not possible as long as Shivpal Yadav is the state president. Akhilesh has effectively outmanoeuvred his uncle Shivpal in the power struggle and within next 10 days it will be decided once for all  that who will call the shots in organisational matters,’’ said the SP leader.