The five day long drama of power struggle within the first family of Samajwadi party ended without any substantial gains for its principal actor Shivpal Yadav. He turned out to be a `rebel without a cause’ as he had announced to resign from all posts in the party and government on Thursday night but accepted the truce devised by party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in less than 24 hours.
Political observers aren’t at a loss to see the new reality in the first family of the Samajwadi Party. SP chief Mulayam Singh, has taken a neutral position—his cousin and party leader in Rajya Sabha Ram Gopal Yadav, is backing Akhilesh Yadav from the day he took over as CM on March 15, 2012.
This clearly demonstrates that chacha Shivpal stands out as the 'lone ranger'. And that’s why he rushed to resign from the Akhilesh government on Thursday night.
The CM has not accepted the resignation so far. So far ‘Netaji’ has come out with a one-liner: "Akhilesh will obey my commands." But nobody knows what his commandments are. Perhaps, he shall clarify things later.
The Shivpal camp expected a big turnout of MlAs and ministers in his support. Not a single MlA or minister could muster courage to make a public statement in his favour or visit his residence. The lone visitor was Speaker of the Assembly Mata Prasad Pandey. SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had reportedly asked him to meet Shivpal and persuade him to withdraw his resignation.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had stripped his uncle Shivpal Yadav of all important portfolios like PWD, irrigation, revenue and cooperatives on September 14. Party leaders feared major backlash and damage to the party's poll prospects in 2017 elections as they apprehended that Shivpal won’t take it lying down and will hit back.
Shivpal did hit back. He resigned from the cabinet and as state SP chief on Thursday evening. His supporters did gather at his residence on Vikramaditya marg on Friday and raised slogans against SP Rajya Sabha MP and general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav. His supporters raised the slogan ``Netaji Tum gaddi Sambhalo, Ram Gopal Ko bahar Nikalo’’.
Even as Shivpal Yadav accepted the ceasefire brokered by party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, he continues to berate his nephew Akhilesh and party general secretary and cousin Ram Gopal Yadav and defend Amar Singh.
``Amar Singh had no role in the removal of Akhilesh Yadav from the post of the state party president and it was Netaji's decision. Singh is a good and useful person for the party and it’s not fair to call him anoutsider,’’ said Shivpal Yadav on Friday.
Shivpal pointed out, ``There are many ministers who enjoy the confidence of the CM. They are good for nothing yet no body speaks about them.’’
The political drama in the Yadav clan is still unfolding. Political pundits feel the fluid scenario would crystallise soon. They are however certain about one thing - the older genre (including chacha Shivpal Singh Yadav) will have to cede more ground to his nephew Akhilesh. So far as ‘outsider’ Amar Singh's fate is concerned, chances are rife that even Mulayam Singh may not be able to save him from disgrace this time.