Under attack from the Akhilesh camp and in a bid to assuage frayed nerves, Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, said that he was not against the Chief Minister who has now become the SP chief.
However, Singh took a jibe at the CM saying that several ministers and MlAs like Ansari brothers, who were tainted till they were with Shivpal Yadav, had become angels after affirming their support to Akhilesh.
Rebutting the charge that he was behind the Samajwadi Party’s first family feud, Singh said, ``I have come to lucknow for reconciliation in the family not for breaking it. If my sacrifice helps the cause of unity then I am game.’’
The maverick leader added,``I want respect for Mulayam Singh and progress for Akhilesh. I will continue to give my blessings to Akhilesh and I want to assure him that I am not against his progress.’’
Alleging that the Akhilesh camp has humiliated Netaji (Mulayam Singh), the Rajya Sabha MP said, “A concerted campaign is underway to humiliate Mulayam Singh which should be ceased forthwith. Today Akhilesh is not only against his `Dharm Pita’ Shivpal Yadav but also against his biological father Mulayam Singh, who is lonely and powerless at the top.’’
Amar Singh continued, ``I want conciliation between the father and the son and I will never be hindrance in the progress of Akhilesh Yadav.”
Defending Shivpal Yadav, Singh said, “Politics is very cruel and ruthless. To support somebody in politics is a big crime and Shivpal has done this crime. Shivpal has taken care of Akhilesh since he was 4 years and took important decisions about his education and other aspects of his life. Yet he has become the arch rival of Akhilesh and all tainted leaders of the SP are now with Akhilesh.’’
Asserting his own contribution to the progress of Akhilesh’ carrer, Singh said, “My contribution to the CM’s growing up is well known and is in the public domain.’’
In an obvious dig at the show of strength in marshalling support of legislators and MPs by the Chief Minister, Singh said, “The status in public life is not gauged just by numbers and power.
I am being unfairly targeted by SP leaders who are levelling baseless charges. Proclaimed turncoat Naresh Agarwal is accusing me of being a BJP agent. This person was a cabinet minister in Rajnath Singh’s government, later a minister in BSP regime and also joined the Congress,’’ said Singh. Naresh Agarwal is the Rajya Sabha MP.
“I want to say with great pain that one SP vice-president, who cannot even speak Hindi poperly has accused me of using the SP for advancing my business interests. I have never sought any favour for any contract or any other business deal. Akhilesh should either order a probe against me or restrain such leaders from making baseless allegation against me,’’ demanded Amar Singh.