In a confrontational move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav seized the post of Samajwadi Party national president on Sunday, while removing his father Mulayam Singh Yadav from the seat and getting himself “unanimously elected” at a national convention of the party.
The resolution approved to this effect also includes two other key decisions including the removal of Shivpal Yadav as state president and the sacking of senior party leader Amar Singh from the party.
However, the daring step gets overly involved in controversy as Mulayam has termed the convention “unconstitutional”. The latest progresses may end all hopes of a reunion between father and son. These hopes had been ignited on Saturday after Mulayam pulled out the dismissal of Akhilesh and Ram Gopal from the party for 6 years within hours.
Despite his aggressive move, Akhilesh swore loyalty to his father. “Some people have conspired to worsen things within the party and create misunderstanding. But as a son, I have the highest regard for ‘Netaji’ (Mulayam). He is the supreme leader of the party and I will continue to work according to his directions,” he said. “I am Netaji’s son. No one can hurt our relationship. I will do anything to protect him and the party,” he added.
But soon, a distressed Mulayam sacked party general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav again for six years. Notably, he had been sacked for the third time since October for anti-party activities. He has been the brain behind Sunday’s SP convention that made Akhilesh a new chief. Others two senior leaders Naresh Agarwal and Kiranmoy Nanda were also expelled but Mulayam has not initiated any action against Akhilesh.
Mulayam has also called a national convention on Thursday.
A resolution implemented at Sunday’s convention authorized Akhilesh to reorganize the party’s national executive, the parliamentary board and the state units. It makes him the supreme authority in the party. As per the same resolution, Mulayam would remain the “sanrakshak” (patron) and “marg darshak.” A copy of the resolutions would be sent to the Election Commission, Ram Gopal had said.
