BJP termed the 'rift' in the Samajwadi Party as a 'civil war'. (Photo: Akhilesh and Mulayam Singh Yadav)
Despite the Samajwadi Party denying reports of a 'rift' in the family, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asserted that the people of Uttar Pradesh are having to pay the price for it. The BJP went on to say that there is an "open civil war" within the state government.
BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh told news agency ANI, "Since Akhilesh Yadav is flexing his muscles to show that he is chief minister, then why is he not taking action against Shivpal Yadav, who is embroiled in multiple scams and controversies? And, if at some point Mulayam Singh Yadav feels that his son is unsuccessful, then why is Akhilesh Yadav the chief minister in the first place? All this is not being missed by the people of UP."
Shivpal Yadav, who was stripped of key portfolios said on Wednesday, that he will abide by the directions of party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, adding that he was happy with his new responsibilities.
Speaking to news agency ANI in New Delhi, Shivpal Yadav said he has been briefed about his new responsibilities by the party leadership.
"There never was any question of disgruntlement in the first place. Whatever responsibility the party gives me, I have to follow. I am happy with my new position, it is quite significant," Mr Yadav said.
While commenting on the decision taken by Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav said, it is the right of a chief minister to select their cabinet ministers and to assign them their responsibilities, and the Uttar Pradesh chief minister has done exactly that.
Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday divested Shivpal Yadav of all important ministerial portfolios including PWD, irrigation, cooperative, flood control and revenue and handed him the social welfare department.
Prior to it, Shivpal Yadav had replaced him as Samajwadi Party president on the instructions of Mulayam Singh Yadav.
The development came hours after Akhilesh Yadav axed state chief secretary Deepak Singhal, considered close to Shivpal Yadav, and replaced him with Rahul Bhatnagar.
Disagreements between Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle have been reported on several occasions, including on the choice of official to be appointed as the state's chief secretary after Alok Ranjan's term ended and the postponement of the Quami Ekta Dal's merger with the Samajwadi Party.
The move comes at a time when Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for assembly elections next year.