As the Election Commission’s verdict settling the Samajwadi Party dispute in favour of the Akhilesh camp sent the party cadre into a joyous frenzy, there were visible signs of an reconciliation in the Samajwadi parivar. Soon after the verdict, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav drove to the residence of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav to seek his blessings and held a long meeting with him. later, his uncle Shivpal Yadav too joined them.
SP sources said that a pall of gloom has descended on the Shivpal Yadav camp and he is likely to fall in line and bury the hatchet with his nephew.
Making the correct political move, Akhilesh said that the SP would contest the State Assembly election under the leadership of Mulayam.
Welcoming the EC’s verdict which upheld the decision of the national convention of the party here on January 1, electing him as the national president of the SP, Akhilesh said, “Mulayam Singh Yadav is the identity of the Samajwadi Party and the next Government in UP will be formed under his leadership.’’
He went on to add, “The Samajwadi Party is united under the leadership of Mulayam Singh Yadav.”
The SP’s national convention had elevated Mulayam to the status of ‘marg Darshak’ of the party.
Appealing for restraint, Akhilesh told the rank and file of the party, “You should remain calm. It’s election time so fan out to your respective constituencies and work for the formation of the next Government of the Samajwadi Party in the State.’’
SP sources said there was little possibility of Mulayam challenging the EC’s verdict in the Supreme Court. The only contentious issue between the father and son was the post of the SP national president. Akhilesh wanted to retain the post for the next three months or till the end of the Assembly elections while Mulayam was unwilling to part with the top post of the party.
“The EC verdict has settled the issue of post of national president and the poll panel’s decision will hasten the process of reconciliation between the father and son. The stakes for Akhilesh are high as he has to win the election, so now it’s his responsibility that the solution to all contentious issues is worked out within the next few days,” said a senior leader close to Mulayam.
“Now Akhilesh will talk from the position of strength on the negotiating table and he is most likely to have his way,” he added.
The SP’s State president Naresh Uttam, who was appointed by Akhilesh after taking over as national president, said, “The verdict of the Election Commission is not only the victory of the ‘Cycle’ -the election symbol of the party- but also of the masses for whom the SP has fought a relentless battle.”
“The party will have smooth sailing in the coming Assembly elections as all those who conspired against the SP at the behest of other political parties have already been expelled,” Uttam said referring to Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, who was expelled from the SP on January 1.
He said Akhilesh was not only the next Chief Minister of UP, he would be the prime ministerial candidate in the 2019 lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile thousands of supporters of Akhilesh assembled at his official residence and at the State office of the party and celebrated the CM’s victory.