The Election Commission of India may be seized with the conflicting claims of rivals factions of the Samajwadi Party for the “cycle” symbol, the groundswell of support for Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav among lawmakers, party officials and cadres has left little doubt that while Mulayam Singh Yadav still enjoyed the soubriquet of “netaji,” Akhilesh is the real boss of the SP.
Even as efforts were underway to bring about a reconciliation between the warring SP factions, both Mulayam and Akhilesh are continuing with the legal process to take control of the party’s election symbol. However, senior Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan, who met Akhilesh for an hour on Thursday afternoon, is confident that the dispute will be settled soon. Akhilesh too said that he would give some “good” news in a couple of days.
Following EC’s direction to both the factions to provide affidavits signed by legislators to claim party’s symbol by January 9, both Mulayam and Akhilesh held meetings with their supporters.
While Mulayam flew down to New Delhi to hold a consultation on legal aspects, Akhilesh held a meeting with legislators and Ministers in lucknow to collect signed affidavits to be presented to the poll panel. Mulayam camp claimed the party supremo was armed with signed affidavits of some MlAs, MlCs and MPs. However, at least 206 SP MlAs attended a meeting convened by Akhilesh at 5, Kalidas Marg, his official residence. The MlAs and MPs gave signed affidavits to Akhilesh.
“Do not worry about the symbol … it is ours,” Akhilesh told the legislators. “Even Netaji is with us. He has gone to Delhi and when he returns I will go and receive him. I have asked for three months’ time. I have told him after three months you can make anyone president of the party, but bear with me for this period. I want to give a gift to him before Holi,” he told legislators, indicating that the SP is winning UP second time in a row. The result will be declared on March 11, two days prior to Holi.
SP MlA Irfan Solanki said that the Chief Minister has asked them to go to their respective constituencies and start campaigning.
“We did sign on a paper giving our details,” he confirmed.
Akhilesh also told them that he will give them good news in couple of days. “So, do not bother about these Rslafdas’ (issues). Go and work in your constituencies,” he said.
Tej Narain Pandey, a Minister in Akhilesh’s Cabinet and legislator from Ayodhya said the SP will form the next Government. “Mark my words, Bhaiya (Akhilesh) will be the Chief Minister again. Ours is the real Samajwadi Party and the Election Commission will recognize this,” he said.
Gomti Yadav, another MlA from Bakshi Ka Talab who has been denied a ticket by the Shivpal faction said, “Akhilesh is our leader.”
later on Thursday evening Mulayam returned to lucknow but he refused to talk to the media.
Amid all this drama, Azam Khan who met Akhilesh at his residence with a group of legislators on Thursday morning said, “Something positive will come out soon. Both son and father sound positive. When they are willing no one can prevent an reconciliation. Both of them know that if they fight as a separate team the BJP will gain.”
He added philosophically, “There was a dense fog in the morning but now there is bright sunshine in lucknow. Similarly, you feel the 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 to their constituencies.
“First we should know if we are in the fray or not. What will we do in the constituency,” Ramesh Chauhan, a senior leader said.