Reprimanding his son Akhilesh Yadav, who happens to be Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party national president Mulayam Singh Yadav said that Chief Minister was surrounded by sycophants which is detrimental for the party and the government.
"Mukhya mantra ji aap suniya (Chief Minister listen to me)", Yadav Sr. almost shouted while addressing officials, dignitaries from few private companies in a function held to inaugurate power projects worth Rs 15,784 crore at CM’s residence here on Tuesday. "You are surrounded by sycophants. Mind my words. The person who lends his ears to sycophants has a short shelf life. Get rid of sycophancy and start working for the people. Work for the poor and muslims. They need your help," Mulayam Singh said pointing fingers at Chief Minister who had a stunned expression on his face.
Akhilesh did not know what to do. He picked up a bottle gulped down some water and started talking to Urban Development Minister Md Azam Khan who was sitting next to him. Probably Mulayam did not like the behavior of Akhilesh and he said again: "I am talking to you. Make officers to come to you. If there is a problem in implementation of a scheme call all the bureaucrats of the concerned department and solve the problem there and then. The bureaucrats have a tendency to sit tight over files. Make them work. I know nothing is happening in this government."
A sheepish smile floated on the face of Akhilesh Yadav. But Azam Khan tried to salvage the situation by saying: "Netaji we are working as per your direction Everyone is working hard." Mulayam Singh listened to him and said: "I believe you if you are vouching for it."
"I know ministers are working. I am telling them anything it does not mean I do not know what is happening in this Government. Mind this - the next election would be fought with me in focus. If I lose election from your constituency you will never be minister again. In fact you will not even get ticket for state assembly," Yadav shouted as a fleet of ministers who were sharing dias with Chief Minister bowed their head in silence.
This outburst of Mulayam was unexpected. No one thought that he give vent to his anger in public. Earlier also he had reprimanded ministers and Chief Minister but that was done in private or closed door meetings. What probably made Mulayam to lose his anger was presence of Agriculture minister Anand Singh whose son Kirtivardhan Singh had joined BJP on March 2. "Those people who will betray me will be thrown out of the ministry," Yadav said throwing a hint at the minister concerned.
But at this time of distress he remembered a friend - whom he claim knew through and through - but is not in party any more. He did not name him but it was Amar Singh and said: "He knew I did not speak much but I know everything what is happening around me." This was the sharp warning to the ministers and Chief Minister Akhilesh that do not take the silence of Mulayam lightly. His silence has a deep meaning.