Lucknow: At a time when the warring factions in Samajwadi Party have taken efforts aimed at reconciliation, party national secretary Amar Singh's latest remarks on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's behaviour towards his uncle Shivpal Yadav may spoil the party for UP's first family.
Amar Singh – in the centre of the Samajwadi Party feud – today dismissed all allegations levelled against him by the Akhilesh camp and extended his blessings to the state's young Chief Minister, saying that he was not against the latter's development.
“I continue to give my blessings to Akhilesh Yadav ji and I want to assure him that I am not against his progress,” ANI quoted the SP Rajya Sabha MP as saying.
Expressing sadness over Akhilesh's behaviour, the SP leader said, ''the Uttar Pradesh CM grew up at his uncle's (Shivpal Yadav) place and today Akhilesh is going against him.''
Reactions from Amar Singh come at a time when the Samajwadi Party top brass is entangled in a bitter battle for control over the party and its election symbol 'cycle'.
With Ram Gopal Yadav on his side, Akhilesh is heading one faction, while party patriarch Mulayam is heading the other with Shivpal and Amar Singh standing tall with him.
Earlier today, in a sign of patch-up, Shivpal had a meeting with Akhilesh. However, the meeting could not reach its logical conclusion.
Amar Singh, who is also camping in Lucknow paid a visit to Mulayam's residence today.
Commenting on Amar Singh's Lucknow stay, SP leader Naresh Agarwal, who is supporting Akhilesh's candidature as party president said, If Amar Singh had stayed away from Lucknow, truce between the two factions would have been a possibility, but as he has arrived in the state capital, now reconciliation would be difficult.
The rival factions are racing against time to garner support of party MPs, MLAs and delegates to prove majority before the Election Commission to claim 'Samajwadi Party' name and 'cycle' symbol.
Mulayam and Shivpal on Thursday rushed to the national capital to furnish details of support he enjoys in the embattled party to the poll panel.
However, Akhilesh stayed put at his official residence in Lucknow, collecting signed affidavits to back his claim of majority support. There was a claim that he had secured signed affidavits of over 200 MLAs and MLCs.
Mulayam was "ousted" as national president of the party by his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in an emergency national convention of the party in Lucknow on Sunday. The Akhilesh Yadav-led faction also removed Shivpal Yadav as the state president of the party.
