In a show of unity and bonhomie in the first family of the Samajwadi Party, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday touched the feet of his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav during the campaigning for the Mainpuri Lok Sabha bypoll.
Akhilesh Yadav asserted that there was never a strain in his relationship with his uncle.
Reciprocating the gesture of his nephew, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) chief Shivpal Singh Yadav that the family was united to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party. He added that the Manipuri bypoll was a high stake contest.
Addressing an election rally in the family bastion Saifai, Akhilesh Yadav asserted that his party would register a historic win in the bypoll.
Dimple Yadav, the wife of Akhilesh Yadav, is the SP candidate from the seat, which was represented by SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav.
“The bypolls are taking place at a time when 'Netaji' (Mulayam Singh Yadav) is not among us. The entire country is watching this election, and I can say that the entire country will see how the Samajwadi Party registers a historic win," Akhilesh Yadav said.
After remaining at loggerheads since 2017, Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle had decided to patch up before the 2022 UP assembly polls. Both had put up a united front at the behest of Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, cracks appeared again after the polls and they parted company.
“At times people say that there is 'dooriyan' (distance). There was no 'dooriyan' between 'chacha' (uncle) and 'bhatija' (nephew). 'Dooriyan' was there in politics. I had never considered any 'dooriyan' between the uncle and the nephew. And, I am happy that today the 'dooriyan' in politics has also ended," Akhilesh Yadav said to a rousing applause from the public.
"And it is because of this that the Bharatiya Janata Party is frightened. It knows that the people of Jaswantnagar have made up their mind to vote for the SP. Karhal is also walking along, and the people of Mainpuri too have made up their mind," the SP chief said.
Jaswantnagar and Karhal are represented by Shivpal and Akhilesh Yadav respectively in the UP assembly.
The poll campaign on Sunday saw Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav and SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav sharing the stage.
"When there is a strain in a relationship they say that there is a feud, and when we become one, they term us as 'parivaarvaadi' party. This is the problem of the BJP people and it will remain, because everywhere they look out for shortcomings," he said.
"It is BJP propaganda that aims to show us as a party of one family, a party of one caste that seeks support of people of one particular religion. Netaji always taught us the politics of brotherhood and amity, and how to give respect to people," Akhilesh Yadav said.
"The BJP should not make any claims on development. They can make claims about potholes on the roads or that of corruption," he said, and added that whatever development had taken place in the region was because of the samajwadis.
He cited Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences in Saifai as an example of such progress.
“Had 'Netaji' not been adamant, the Agra- Lucknow expressway would not have been constructed in 23 months. This expressway was found to be the best expressway in the country. When he (Mulayam) was invited for the foundation stone laying ceremony, he had said that he would lay the foundation stone only when he knew the date of inauguration,” the SP chief said.
"The day on which the foundation stone of the expressway was laid was the birthday of 'Netaji', and the day when it was inaugurated was also his birthday," the SP chief said. He also said that the ongoing bypolls were important as after the BJP’s defeat in West Bengal and change in power equation in Bihar, it was UP’s turn to halt the victory run of BJP and prevent it from coming to power at the Centre.
Akhilesh Yadav said that in line with an advice given by Ram Gopal Yadav, the party had to take stock of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) till the very end to prevent any tampering.
"Because this government will not tell you where 20 lakh EVMs have disappeared. Last time you made us win the polls, but the administration defeated us. In the (postal) ballot, we won almost 300 seats."
Shivpal Singh Yadav said, "Reputation is at stake in this election. Dimple is our daughter-in-law. Everyone who is sitting here carries a part of 'Netaji.' This is a fight for honour and all the records have to be made in this election itself.”
"It is true that you have told us to unite, and we have become one. And now it is your responsibility to ensure a victory by a record margin. Whenever such challenges have sprung before the people of Jaswantnagar, they have emerged victorious," Shivpal Singh Yadav said.