Mulayam Singh didn't comment on UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's 2nd term at media briefing in Lucknow
Lucknow:
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today used many words to side step a question on whether son Akhilesh Yadav would be projected for a second term as Uttar Pradesh chief minister in the assembly elections to be held early next year.
Mulayam Singh, who is the party's sole authority, could have answered in yes or no. Instead he said, "the legislature party will get together and choose a leader," also adding, "there is no dispute."
The chief minister was not present at the press conference held in state capital Lucknow, though he was in town. On one side of Mulayam Singh sat his younger brother Shivpal Yadav, who has engaged in a bitter power tussle with nephew Akhilesh in recent weeks.
On the other was Gayatri Prajapati, a minister who Akhilesh Yadav was forced by his father to reinstate days after he sacked him over allegations of corruption. Mulayam Singh had copious praise for Mr Prajapati.
If there were any more doubts of his son's isolation, the SP chief dispelled them by turning to consult Shivpal Yadav before answering any question that referenced the chief minister.
At one point the 76-year-old politician also snapped, "What is this family that you keep talking about?" And then, clasping his brother's hand he said, "This is family."
It confirmed that uncle Shivpal has a decidedly upper hand as the party heads into the crucial UP election. By making him the party's UP chief in place of Akhilesh, Mulayam Singh has already put him in the driver's seat.
Despite Akhilesh Yadav's best efforts to scuttle those plans, the SP has announced an alliance with a party led by gangster-lawmaker Muqtar Ansari. The deal was negotiated by Shivpal Yadav, who also holds powerful ministries in the Akhilesh Yadav government.
The 43-year-old chief minister led his party to a big victory in UP five years ago on the promise of effective law and order and clean governance. He has been accused by political rivals of delivering neither as he has struggled with interference in government affairs by the party and his father's high-handed impositions.
Mulayam Singh, who is the party's sole authority, could have answered in yes or no. Instead he said, "the legislature party will get together and choose a leader," also adding, "there is no dispute."
The chief minister was not present at the press conference held in state capital Lucknow, though he was in town. On one side of Mulayam Singh sat his younger brother Shivpal Yadav, who has engaged in a bitter power tussle with nephew Akhilesh in recent weeks.
On the other was Gayatri Prajapati, a minister who Akhilesh Yadav was forced by his father to reinstate days after he sacked him over allegations of corruption. Mulayam Singh had copious praise for Mr Prajapati.
If there were any more doubts of his son's isolation, the SP chief dispelled them by turning to consult Shivpal Yadav before answering any question that referenced the chief minister.
At one point the 76-year-old politician also snapped, "What is this family that you keep talking about?" And then, clasping his brother's hand he said, "This is family."
It confirmed that uncle Shivpal has a decidedly upper hand as the party heads into the crucial UP election. By making him the party's UP chief in place of Akhilesh, Mulayam Singh has already put him in the driver's seat.
Despite Akhilesh Yadav's best efforts to scuttle those plans, the SP has announced an alliance with a party led by gangster-lawmaker Muqtar Ansari. The deal was negotiated by Shivpal Yadav, who also holds powerful ministries in the Akhilesh Yadav government.
The 43-year-old chief minister led his party to a big victory in UP five years ago on the promise of effective law and order and clean governance. He has been accused by political rivals of delivering neither as he has struggled with interference in government affairs by the party and his father's high-handed impositions.
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