After Mulayam’s betrayal accusation, Akhilesh invites him to party’s national convention

If Mulayam attends the party’s national convention in Agra next month, it will be the first time after Akhilesh became Samajwadi Party president that the father-son would be seen together at any political event.

Former Samajwadi Party president, Mulayam Singh, might attend the party’s national convention next month on his son and party president Akhilesh’s invitation, sources said.

Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav with his father Mulayam Singh and uncle Shivpal Yadav during a Rath Yatra in Lucknow ahead of the stat assembly election early this year. (HT File Photo)

Mulayam had criticised his son and accused him of betrayal after the party replaced him with Akhilesh as its president in the run-up to state assembly elections in March. The party lost to the BJP by a heavy margin.

The sources also said it will be the first time after Akhilesh became the party president that the father-son would be seen together at any political event.

. Akhilesh met Mulayam at Mulayam’s residence right next to his own.

At Monday’s press conference, Mulayam said he will not attend the national convention. However, he later said: "Let’s see, how long differences between father and son stay.”

The former party president, 77, had ruled out floating any party at the presser.

The party had held a state convention on September 23 as a prelude to the national meet on October 5 in Agra, but had not invited both Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh’s uncle and MLC Shivpal Yadav. The convention re-elected Naresh Uttam Patel as party’s state president for five years.