Amid the escalating feud within the SP’s first family, an emotional Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav offered to resign from his post while addressing a meeting of legislators here on Monday.
Defending his decision of sacking four ministers inlcuidng uncle Shivpal Yadav on Sunday, the CM said they were creating dispute within the party. At the meeting, the Chief Minister and state SP chief Shivpal Yadav also traded charges.
While the CM dismissed the perception that he was to float a new political party. “Why should I form a new partyIJ This is also my responsibility. If anyone is involved in a conspiracy then we have to fight them,” said Akhilesh, a statement which was later contradicted by uncle Shivpal Yadav who said that the CM had told him about forming a new party.
Referring to his father Mulayam Singh, an emotional Akhilesh said, ``You took me to these heights... Where do I go from hereIJ Had you told me to resign, I would have done so. Netaji is my guru and if he wants to remove me then I am ready to quit.”
“Netaji, you taught me to oppose injustice. If anyone is engaged in conspiring against Netaji or the party, then I would initiate action (referring to the sacking of four ministers recently).”
Alleging conspiracy by some to create rift, the CM “I have to stand up against the conspirators and I have done so without caring for consequences. You have taught me to stand up against any wrong thing,” he added.
Defending uncle and expelled Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav, Akhilesh said,``My action against ministers were mine and not on his suggestions. They were creating disturbances and hence shunted out,” he said.
In his address after the CM, Shivpal Yadav spoke in an unusually loud tone and declared that the party would contest the Assembly polls under the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Attacking the CM, Shivpal said, ``I swear to you all, Akhilesh had told me that he was going to form a party and would contest elections in alliance with other parties.”
Defending Amar Singh, the state SP chief said, “Singh’s contribution to the party has been immense and he was not involved in any conspiracy or anti-party activity.”
“People working to weaken the SP should know that we will form the next government pursuing Netaji’s ideology. But we cannot tolerate liars in SP, we just can’t. Indiscipline will not be tolerated. Netaji has taken the SP to a certain height and anyone insulting him would not be spared,” he remarked hitting out at Ram Gopal Yadav.
Attacking the CM and Ram Gopal further, Shivpal said, “Who were responsible for breaking of alliance with Qaumi Ekta Dal and Mahagathbandan in Bihar.”
Claiming that he has no dispute with Akhilesh Yadav, he said,”I was upset when the CM took my departments but even after insults I never dismissed the CM’s directives. When I was removed from the state chief’s post by Netaji, I never objected or said a word. But when I was given that post Akhilesh became hostile towards me.”
“During my tenure as minister, even Opposition leaders lauded me. No party MlA has any grievance about my conduct. Did I made no contribution to the government. Akhilesh never reviewed departments under him. But I did this regularly and also acted against erring officials,’’ said Shivpal.
Reacting to a jibe by an Akhilesh loyalist that he travelled by helicopter, Shivpal hit back, ``The chopper is nobody’s private property, it belongs to the state government (helicopter kisi ke baap kaa nahi hai, sarkar ka hai)’’.
Going down memory lane, Shivpal said how he cycled through out for campaigning and to strengthen the party and also referred to the tough days faced by Mulayam Singh and him. during Emergency in 1975.
The state SP chief clarified that the meeting was convened on a two point agenda— one, Foundation Day function on November 5 and for reviewing preparations for 2017 Assembly polls. ”But a conspiracy was hatched and it was circulated that the meet was aimed at removing Akhilesh from the post of Chief Minister, which was so baseless,” he said.