Reconciliation eludes the warring Samajwadi Party factions as Mulayam Singh Yadav and son Akhilesh Yadav have initiated legal process to take control of party’s election symbol `cycle’ with father flew down to Delhi to have consultation with EC while son held a meeting with legislators and ministers.
Sources claim that at least 206 legislators have attended Akhilesh’s meeting held at 5, Kalidas Marg – the official residence of Chief Minister - and have signed a `paper’ giving their details and reaffirming loyalty to Akhilesh Yadav.
This was done as Election Commission of India has asked both the factions to provide all their evidence on their claim on the Samajwadi Party and its bicycle symbol by January 9. They have been asked to submit affidavits signed by legislators and MPs in their support.
SP MlA Irfan Solanki from Kanpur said that Chief Minister has asked them to go to their constituency and start their campaign. “We did sign on a paper with giving our details,” he confirmed.
The meeting at CM’s residence lasted for over two hours. Akhilesh addressed the legislators for almost 10 minutes. Sources say that Akhilesh asked them to go and work in their `kshetra’ (constituencies).
“Do not worry about symbol … it is ours,” Akhilesh told the legislators. “Even Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) is with us. He has gone to Delhi and when he returns I will go and receive him. I have asked for three months. I have told him after three months you can make anyone President but bear with me for this period. I want to give a gift to him before holi,” he told legislators indicating SP winning UP for second time a row.
The result will be declared on March 11 – two days prior to holi.
Akhilesh also told them that he will give them good news in couple of days. “So, do not bother about these `lafda’ (issues). Go and work in your constituencies,” he said.
Tej Narain Pandey, a minister in Akhilesh’s cabinet and legislator from Ayodhya said that Samajwadi Party will form next government. “Bhai sahib mark my words – Bhaiya (Akhilesh Yadav) will be next Chief Minister. Ours is the real Samajwadi Party and Election Commission will recognize this,” he said.
Gomti Yadav, another MlA from Baksi Ka Talab who has been denied ticket by Shivpal Singh Yadav faction said Akhilesh is our leader.
As Akhilesh Yadav was busy with the meeting Mulayam Singh and his younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav left for Delhi where Amar Singh came to meet Yadav Sr. The trio had meetings with legal luminaries looking at pros and cons of EC notice where they have been asked to furnish details.
later in the evening, Mulayam Singh Yadav returned to lucknow along with Shivpal Yadav and Amar Singh but he refused to talk to the media.
Amid all these developments, UP minister Mohammad Azam Khan made a reconciliation attempt and met Akhilesh Yadav at his residence. In fact, he was not part of the group of legislators that met CM in the morning. The meeting lasted for over an hour.
Something positive will come out. Both son and father sound positive. When they are willing no one can stop from reconciliation. Both of them know that if they fight as separate team BJP will gain,” he said and added philosophically: “It was dense fog in the morning but now there is good sunshine in lucknow. Similarly, you feel darkness around but there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”
Due to the infighting, the election campaign of the ruling SP has gone haywire and the leaders and the candidate are still camping in lucknow rather than going in their constituencies.
“First we should know we are in fray or not. What will we do in constituency,” Ramesh Chauhan, a senior leader said.