Undeterred by the refusal by patron Mulayam Singh Yadav to support his new political venture, dissident Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav said that there was no question of a ‘roll back’ and the Rs Samajwadi Secular Morcha’ would soon be a reality. Several senior SP leaders, including Rajya Sabha member Beni Prasad Verma, have extended their support to the newly floated Morcha.
“The framework of Samajwadi Secular Morcha (SSM) is being worked out and a formal announcement in this regard will be made at an appropriate and auspicious time,’’ said Shivpal in lucknow on Tuesday.
He, however, refused to comment whether the SSM will eventually part ways with the SP or exist within its ambit.
“The SSM is a forum of different like-minded parties. The idea was approved as there are many like-minded parties which are ready to extend support to us to fight communal forces,” Shivpal said.
A SP leader close to Shivpal said, “The Morcha will attempt to bring all Socialist leaders from UP under one umbrella to fight communal and divisive forces. It will try to follow and imbibe principles of Ram Manohar lohia, Acharya Narendra Dev, Jai Prakash Narayan, Charan Singh and other Socialist icons.”
Morcha sources claimed that senior SP leaders Bhagwati Singh and former Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma were also in touch with leaders of the SSM. Even some office-bearers of frontal outfits of SP were said to be in touch with Morcha leaders.
The Morcha was announced by Shivpal Yadav at Etawah on May 5, wherein he anointed his elder brother and SP patron Mulayam as its president.