Shivpal Singh Yadav, the president of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) and Samajwadi Party MLA, was administered the oath of office as a member of the UP Assembly by Speaker Satish Mahana.

He could not take oath on Tuesday when oath was administered to all newly-elected MLAs by Pro tem Speaker Ramapati Shastri.

Shivpal Yadav had contested the assembly election from Jaswantnagar constituency in Etawah district as Samajwadi Party candidate on its election symbol ‘cycle’.

Shivpal Yadav, the estranged uncle of the Samajwadi party president and leader of opposition, Akhilesh Yadav. 

Shivpal Yadav’s relation with his nephew Akhilesh Yadav has been further strained after the elections as he was not invited to the meeting of the Samajwadi Party MLAs on March 26. There were speculations that Shivpal Yadav could be the next leader of opposition in the UP assembly.  The SP chief however nominated himself for this post.

After taking oath Shivpal Yadav said, “I am weighing my options and will soon take the appropriate decision.”

He refused to answer questions when asked whether he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the recent past.

Shivpal Yadav, sulking over not being invited to the meeting of the SP MLAs, had gone to Delhi to meet his elder brother Mulayam Singh Yadav. Shivpal Yadav had sought intervention of his elder brother for ensuring his status in the Samajwadi Party.

Speculations are rife in the state capital on the possible course of action of Shivpal Yadav. He is known for proximity with the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership, particularly Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for the last five years.

Samajwadi Party’s refusal to invite him for the meeting of the party MLAs was a rude shock for him. “The SP, by denying him the opportunity to attend the meeting of its MLAs sent the message that the party does not recognise Shivpal Yadav as the MLA of the SP,” said a political leader close to Shivpal Yadav. 

Shivpal Yadav has maintained that SP leadership owes an explanation as to why he was not invited to the meeting of the MLAs.

Meanwhile, Shivpal Yadav met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence on Kalidas Marg here.

“It was a courtesy call. I met him to congratulate him for taking over as chief minister for the second time,” Shivpal Yadav said after meeting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.