Samajwadi Party rank and file backs Akhilesh in turf war with Shivpal | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Samajwadi Party rank and file backs Akhilesh in turf war with Shivpal

Lucknow/Kanpur/Agra/Bareilly, Hindustan Times | ByHT Correspondents
Dec 31, 2016 07:17 PM IST

Overwhelming support among Samajwadi Party workers and legislators for Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and a backlash against the president of the party’s state unit, Shivpal Yadav, has driven home the point about who is the winner in the popularity stakes in the party.

Overwhelming support among Samajwadi Party workers and legislators for Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and a backlash against the president of the party’s state unit, Shivpal Yadav, has driven home the point about who is the winner in the popularity stakes in the party.

Security forces deployed near the residence of Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, in Lucknow on Saturday.(PTI)
Security forces deployed near the residence of Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, in Lucknow on Saturday.(PTI)

Except for a few old guards, most MLAs have openly backed the 43-year-old Akhilesh by attending his meeting in the state capital on Saturday before SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav revoked his son’s expulsion in less than 24 hours.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Most MLAs from Bundelkhand, Kanpur, Kannauj, Auraiya, Mainpuri, Farrukhabad, Kanpur Dehat and Unnao attended the CM’s meeting.

Read: Akhilesh, Ram Gopal taken back into Samajwadi Party a day after Mulayam expelled them

In Etawah, the three party MLAs, including Shivpal Yadav, did not attend Akhilesh’s meeting, sources said.

In Bareilly and Badaun, six of eight sitting MLAs sided with Akhilesh

Sitting minister Vijay Bahadur Pal said the CM was immensely popular among the youth and has a proven track record. “Both Netaji and Akhileshji have worked to carry the socialist ideology far and under CM, the state has progressed. I will contest in the name of Akhilesh,” he said.

In Agra, SP workers came out on the streets in support of Akhilesh on Saturday morning.

“Kuchh ghalat logon ke karan ye sab ho raha hai (some wrong people are creating problems for the party). There is a communication gap due to which some decisions have gone against the party,” SP spokesman CP Rai told HT.

A member of the national executive of the Samajwadi Mahila Sabha, Monica Naaz Khan resigned from her post and tore posters of Shivpal Yadav.

“A conspiracy is being hatched against the CM who is a leader with a clean image. We will not tolerate any action against him. Akhilesh is the only leader who can steer the party to victory in assembly election,” said Khan.

Following Akhilesh’s expulsion on Friday, party workers of the Bareilly unit had started sending in their resignations. “Akhilesh Yadav took UP on the path of development. People only know him because of the work he did for the people. One cannot abandon such a leader,” said Zafar Beg, head of SP’s Bareilly (city) unit.

Across Bareilly, Jalabad, Shahjahanpur, Akhilesh’s supporters burned effigies of Shivpal and blocked the state highway to register their protest.

On social media too, netizens backed the chief minister and trolled Shivpal for his alleged role in Akhilesh’s expulsion.

“Akhilesh Bhaiyya aap akele nahin, hum sab aapke saath hain (Akhilesh you are not alone, we all are with you),” said a Facebook post which remained the most popular message on the platform’s page titled ‘Akhilesh Yadav fan club’.

The post got over 4,000 likes and more than 3,500 comments.

A twitter handle, #Iamwithakhilesh, also remained popular and was joined by many supporters.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On