The warmth among members of Samajwadi Party’s first family evaporated in the winter chill as SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav denied tickets to Akhilesh Yadav loyalists, including three ministers, prompting the CM to ask supporters to go to their constituencies and contest polls on different symbols.
“We have been asked to contest election as talks with Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) have failed. We are ‘Akhileshwadi’ and will contest the election on the name of Bhaiya (Akhilesh Yadav). I will return to the Assembly – that’s my promise,” said Forest minister Pawan Pandey, who was denied ticket.
He is among three ministers including Arvind Singh Gope and Ram Gobind Chaudhary. Pandey, a known Akhilesh loyalist, was expelled for roughing up a SP leader.
Pandey said that Akhilesh Yadav might release a separate list of over 160 candidates. “Wait for the next scene of this political drama – it will unfurl very soon,” he quipped outside the CM’s official residence at 5, Kalidas Marg.
With his political survival in peril, Akhilesh Yadav was forced to take this intransigent stand after his long parley with Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav ended in an impasse.
SP legislator Udayveer Singh Yadav told reporters that the CM was bracing himself for a long political battle. He also did not rule out Amar Singh behind the rejection of tickets to Akhilesh supporters.
The high voltage drama in lucknow found its echo in Moradabad where Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha has cancelled the Rath Yatra. President of Yuvjan Sabha, Vikas Yadav announced the Yatra cancellation in support of Akhilesh.
Earlier, there were reports that Mulayam could accommodate a couple of ministers, who were denied ticket but later the SP chief conveyed to his son that there was no question of any ‘reconsideration’ of the names.
The trio of Mulayam- Akhilesh- Shivpal Yadav— had a close door meeting at Mulayam’s residence on Thursday afternoon which lasted for an hour in which Akhilesh pleaded to accommodate some candidates including ministers in his government who could win election.
Sources claim that Akhilesh batted for two ministers - Ram Govind Chaudhury and Arvind Singh Gope. But Mulayam, after consultation with Shivpal Yadav, spiked the CM’s suggestions. “Mulayam showed Akhilesh survey reports how these two had lost popularity. Mulayam told Akhilesh that no changes could be made at this time,” the source said.
With no option left Akhilesh is getting ready for a final battle.
The crisis in the party escalated after the release of candidates’ list on Wednesday where close confidantes of Shivpal were given prominence while Akhilesh’ loyalits were given the cold shoulder. Reports suggest that of the 325 candidates announced, 162 were hand picked by Shivpal Yadav.
It all started in the morning when Akhilesh held a meeting with party MlAs and senior ministers at his official residence. Around 50 MlAs and ministers like Arvind Singh Gope, Abhishek Mishra, Ahmad Hasan, Balram Singh Yadav, Tej Narain Panday alias Pawan Pandey, Shivakant Ojha and Rajendra Chaudhry participated.
Sources said that Ram Govind Chaudhary said in the meeting that he had joined the SP on the advise of former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar.
“I have never asked for ticket from Mulayam Singh. Every time, he himself fielded me in polls. This is first time that he denied a ticket to me. I will ensure that Akhilesh becomes Chief Minister of UP once again,” Chaudhry reportedly said in that meeting.
As per sources, the CM gave a patient hearing to the leaders and assured them that he would try to convince Mulayam Singh Yadav to reconsider his decision.
Meanwhile Akhilesh supporters continued to raise slogans in his support outside the CM’s residence throughout the day.
“The family should bury the hatchet and present a united face. This show of disunity at the threshold of elections, does not augur well for the party,” SP supporter from Bareilly, Zarina Bano said as workers shouted ‘Akhlesh tum sangharsh karo, hum tomahre saath hain’.