Mulayam Singh, 76, tried to placate his son Akhilesh and brother Shivpal at Samajwadi Party's meet today.
Lucknow:
Mulayam Singh Yadav partially succeeded in engineering an awkward semi-hug between his son, Akhilesh, and his brother, Shivpal, but conciliatory moments were a rarity at this morning's meeting of the Samajwadi Party.
Akhilesh, the 43-year-old Chief Minister, wants a second term. Uncle Shivpal wants him replaced, a goal towards which he has expended much effort, resulting in Akhilesh removing him yesterday as a cabinet minister.
Mulayam Singh, 76, tried today to placate both relatives. He said Akhilesh will remain Chief Minister, but that he cannot do without either his younger brother Shivpal or his close aide Amar Singh, who is disliked by Akhilesh.
When asked to hug his uncle, Akhilesh touched Shivpal's feet instead.
The speeches that followed were so tempestuous that details emerged over hours as attendees revealed what they witnessed.
According to news agency IANS, on two occasions, Mulayam Singh snapped at his son, ordering him to "keep quiet" and then later asking, "Tumhari haisiyat hi kya hai?" (Who the hell are you?)
Chiding his son for sacking Shivpal and accusing Amar Singh of working against the party's interests, Mulayam Singh said, "You all know nothing about Amar Singh. He saved me from going to prison."
Younger brother Shivpal was praised as a political veteran, a mass leader "who can make people win and lose elections". Mulayam Singh also suggested that his son is misguided if he believes "he alone can lead the party to victory.
Refuting allegations that he is willing to split the party if his terms are not met, an emotional Akhilesh said his father is his "guru." This brought more abuse from Shivpal who grabbed the mic and declared to the audience of about 400 Samajwadi legislators, "Your Chief Minister is a liar."
Akhilesh, the 43-year-old Chief Minister, wants a second term. Uncle Shivpal wants him replaced, a goal towards which he has expended much effort, resulting in Akhilesh removing him yesterday as a cabinet minister.
Mulayam Singh, 76, tried today to placate both relatives. He said Akhilesh will remain Chief Minister, but that he cannot do without either his younger brother Shivpal or his close aide Amar Singh, who is disliked by Akhilesh.
When asked to hug his uncle, Akhilesh touched Shivpal's feet instead.
The speeches that followed were so tempestuous that details emerged over hours as attendees revealed what they witnessed.
According to news agency IANS, on two occasions, Mulayam Singh snapped at his son, ordering him to "keep quiet" and then later asking, "Tumhari haisiyat hi kya hai?" (Who the hell are you?)
Chiding his son for sacking Shivpal and accusing Amar Singh of working against the party's interests, Mulayam Singh said, "You all know nothing about Amar Singh. He saved me from going to prison."
Younger brother Shivpal was praised as a political veteran, a mass leader "who can make people win and lose elections". Mulayam Singh also suggested that his son is misguided if he believes "he alone can lead the party to victory.
Refuting allegations that he is willing to split the party if his terms are not met, an emotional Akhilesh said his father is his "guru." This brought more abuse from Shivpal who grabbed the mic and declared to the audience of about 400 Samajwadi legislators, "Your Chief Minister is a liar."
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