Samajwadi Party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said that Shivpal Yadav was fighting to remain relevant in UP politics abnd was hence issuing irresponsible statements. Yadav went ahed and dared his cousin Shivpal to float the Samajwadi Secular Front.
Rs Rs Shivpal knows that he is in no position to either pressure the party or make it accept his demands. Hence he is making statements on floating a new front or a party,’’ said Ram Gopal Yadav in Etawah.
He added, “Shivpal’s statements on floating a new front is a mere bluff and bluster without any substance. He knows that if he floats a new front, he would attract provisions of the Anti- defection Act and lose membership of the Assembly.’’
Ram Gopal Yadav also rejected Shivpal’s demand that Akhilesh Yadav should step down from the post of SP national president. “I have said it earlier and saying it again that Shivpal’s demand only shows his ignorance about the constitution of the party and organizational matters. Akhilesh cannot unilaterally take this decision, only the party can,’’said Yadav.
Meanwhile, an SP MlC from the Akhilesh camp escalated the war of words within the party saying, “let shivpal Yadav float the front, we want this to happen as it will settle the dispute within the party and Akhilesh Yadav will be in a position to concentrate on party affairs rather than the dispute.’’
The MlC said, “Akhilesh Yadav will take no action against his uncle as Shivpal Yadav is neither a threat to the party nor his leadership. Shivpal has only two options -float the front or drift towards the BJP and the second option seems more likely.’’
On Wednesday, Shivpal Yadav had announced to float the new front on July but seems to be in a dilemma.
Sources close to Shivpal said that the floating of the front is likely to be deferred for an indefinite period as Mulayam Singh Yadav is yet to give his nod.
“Unless Mulayam Singh takes a firm stand against his son Akhilesh, Samajawadi Secular Front would remain a dream for Shivpal. Mulayam Singh will never go against his son as he had decided the succession issue in the party way back in March 2012, ignoring strong reservations from Shivpal and annointed Akhilesh as the Chief Minister of UP,” said the source.