Amar-Mulayam bonhomie at CM’s iftar fuels talk of return
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Mulayam Singh Yadav, who could not attend the iftar party of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on Monday reached the one hosted by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday along with expelled SP leader Amar Singh.
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Mulayam Singh Yadav, who could not attend the iftar party of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on Monday reached the one hosted by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday along with expelled SP leader Amar Singh.
With the duo walking hand in hand, there were once again murmurs about a possible return of Amar to the party fold.Rumours that Mulayam might induct Amar’s associate Jaya Prada into the Upper House of UP Legislature as a nominated member also did rounds.
Before reaching the iftar, Mulayam called on Amar, reportedly in the presence of former SP MP Jaya Prada, at Amar’s Lucknow residence.
Mulayam had expelled Amar Singh and Jaya Prada in early 2010 for indiscipline.
However, in last six months, Amar had been frequently meeting Mulayam, Akhilesh and senior UP minister Shivpal Yadav.
The Muslim face of SP Azam Khan made a brief appearance at the party and did not venture anywhere near the stage where Mulayam, Amar and Maharashtra SP chief Abu Asim Azmi were present.
Amar and Azam are daggers drawn for many years. A senior SP leader said: “One should not read too much into Mulayam and Amar meeting. These are only exchanging courtesies”.
Azam had quit the party primarily over Amar’s rising ‘capitalist’ influences into the ‘socialist’ party.Mulayam re-inducted Azam into the party thereafter.