Shivpal Singh Yadav may be State unit chief
With the Samajwadi Party grappling to come in terms with the ignominious defeat it had suffered in the just concluded lok Sabha elections, the indications are that the party might go for an overhaul with change in State leadership.
The party has already dissolved the party unit along with the frontal organisations. But Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav continues to be the State president of the party. Besides, 36 leaders enjoying Minister of State status have been sacked.
“One section of party leadership believes that the action taken so far is cosmetic. The party needs complete overhauling with change in guard. The name of Shivpal Singh Yadav is doing round as the next State president of the party. But the final decision would be taken by party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav,” a senior leader told The Pioneer here on Tuesday.
The party believes that unless drastic changes are made in the party it would not be able to fight the Hindutva onslaught in form of emergence of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. leaders say that the BJP has many hands like RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal to strengthen the party at grassroots while Samajwadi Party has only dedicated force of volunteers.
“The volunteers are dejected post-lok Sabha results. They want a new charge in the party as well as in the Government and it could come only after making drastic changes,” the leader said.
The party still reposes full faith in Akhilesh but a section believes that working as CM as well as State president was becoming a bit tiring for him. If Yadav is divested of party post, he could concentrate on Government with vigour.
“The idea has been discussed but the ball stops at Mulayam’s court and he will take the final call,” the leader said.
Another faction believes that leaders like Md Azam Khan and Naresh Agarwal should be asked not to give vitriolic comments. Majority in samajwadi Party believe that Azam’s Kargil comment has done much harm to the party than doing anything good. In the last meeting legislators have openly complained as Naresh Agarwal and the stranglehold he had made in Hardoi.
“It is challenging ahead for the party and Government. If we fail to perform we will be perished,” SP leader said.