Amar Singh Behind Yadav Feud? Akhilesh Yadav Supporters Blame 'Outsider'

Lucknow: In the war within the Yadavs, Uttar Pradesh's first family, an important cameo role is being credited to Amar Singh, who returned to the Samajwadi Party recently.

Mr Singh, 60, a controversial politician known for his connections in the business, media and film world, rejoined the party in May after six years in exile, against the wishes of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Many see him as the "outsider" being accused of splitting the Yadav family, leaving Akhilesh Yadav ranged against his father Mulayam Singh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav this close to the state election due early next year.

Without taking names, Akhilesh, 43, said on Wednesday: "If people from outside the family keep interfering, how will things work?"

It is believed by many in the party that Mr Singh, who says Akhilesh is "like a son", is in league with Shivpal Yadav in a plan to turn Mulayam Singh against his son.

"When everyone is together, the organization is stronger. Whatever decision Netaji (Mulayam Singh) has taken about people joining or staying, no one in the party has the stature to go against it," Shivpal Yadav said today to pointed questions on Mr Singh.

Mr Singh is accused of engineering Akhilesh Yadav's replacement as the party's UP chief by Shivpal Yadav on Tuesday, a move that fueled open war with the Chief Minister retaliating by stripping his uncle of key ministerial responsibilities and leaving him with only the social welfare department.

Akhilesh recently rattled Mr Singh by sacking a bureaucrat perceived as very close to him - chief secretary Deepak Singhal. Mr Singh reportedly lobbied to have the top bureaucrat reinstated.

Senior party leaders are rallying around the young chief minister and have directed their anger at Amar Singh.

"Cadres are demanding action against outsiders taking advantage of netaji (Mulayam Singh)," said Ramgopal Yadav, a Samajwadi Party lawmaker.