The House Of Yadavs: As Rivalry Steps Up, Mulayam Singh Takes Charge

Lucknow: As Uttar Pradesh prepares for elections, Mulayam Singh Yadav, who heads the ruling Samajwadi Party, called a meeting today of his fractious relatives, whose public feuding has been gaining in speed and potential destructive force.

Mulayam Singh's son, Akhilesh, is Chief Minister. His younger brother, Shivpal, is a cabinet minister.  His cousin, Ram Gopal, is a parliamentarian.

All three attended  a counseling session at Mulayam Singh's home in Lucknow after which Ram Gopal Yadav declared that he "has no differences" with Shivpal Yadav and that "the family stands united", the latest in a series of family claims that its differences are not irreconcilable.

In June, Akhilesh Yadav over-ruled Shivpal Yadav's decision to merge a known criminal's party with theirs because of the putative Muslim support the annexation would elicit.

Shivpal Yadav then went into a sulk and threatened to quit Akhilesh Yadav's cabinet, allegedly citing the fact that party workers loyal to his brother, Ram Gopal, were ignoring his instructions.

Then, a week ago, Mulayam Singh Yadav at a public speech sided with younger brother Shivpal, describing him as "a good man whose opinions should be heeded," a warning that was intended for Akhilesh Yadav, who told reporters that publicly and privately, his father chooses - and is entitled to - "bestow advice in the best interests of the party".

After that public ticking off, Akhilesh and Shivpal Yadav held a long meeting, reportedly on the instructions of Mulayam Singh, who ordered them to make things work.