locked in a bitter power struggle with nephew Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav said that the party lost the last Assembly poll due to humiliation of Mulayam Singh Yadav and sharp divisions within the party. Shivpal is set to float `Samajwadi Secular Front’ on July 6.
``The tally of Samajwadi Party in the last Assembly poll was reduced to 47 from 231. We lost the elections as the party was badly divided. The worst ever poll debacle was a shock big enough to open the eyes of all and sundry of the party,’’ said Shivpal in Kanpur on Monday.
``The SP has been reduced to a pathetic state due to continued humiliation of Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav). The perpetrators should now realise their blunde and open their eyes,’’ said Shivpal.
The SP leader said that preparations for Samajwadi Secular Front were underway and he would speak to Netaji on this issue. ``I would soon start a state-wide tour to mobilise support for the Front and soon the media will come to know as to how many leaders were going to join the Front,’’ said Shivpal Yadav.
On the BJP government in UP, the SP leader said, “We have given six months to the Yogi regime to perform and show results. law and order has deteriorated and the CM should pay more attention to the issue. The masses are watching Yogi government’s performance.’’
Sources close to Shivpal however said that the date of floating the Front has been deferred to September. After the Assembly poll in March, Shivpal had asked Akhilesh Yadav to step down from the post of national president of SP.
During the Assembly poll in January, Shivpal had announced to float a new party after the elections. His plan remained a non- starter as brother Mulayam Singh Yadav refused to support the new venture of Shivpal.
A Samajwadi Party leader of Akhilesh Yadav camp said, “let him do whatever he wants. We are least bothered as he is no longer in a position to inflict damage either to the party or the party chief. Whatever damage he could do, he has done during the last Assembly poll.’’
The Akhilesh loyalist further said, “Akhilesh Yadav is in full control of the party. Such empty threat of floating a Front or forming a new party, have no importance for the party president. Whether Shivpal floats the Front or forms a new party, will only be good for the party.’’