Akhilesh skips SP rally, Shivpal’s son takes stage

NEW DELHI: CM Akhilesh Yadav was conspicuous by his absence at the first big Samajwadi Party rally in UP. Seen as the launch of SP’s poll campaign, the Ghazipur rally saw the rise of Shivpal Yadav’s son, Aditya Yadav, as SP’s youth face.

The rally was also significant as it was SP Chief Mulayam’s first public appearance in Ghazipur after he allowed merger of Ansari brothersheaded erstwhile Quami Ekta Dal (QED) with SP. Mulayam’s decision to allow the QED’s merger did not go down well with Akhilesh.

Aditya, who reached Ghazipur on Tuesday evening, was seen busy extending all help to his Shivpal to ensure success of the party’s first show in East UP after Shivpal’s elevation as state president. “He was very active in giving final shape to the party’s rally. He was presented a ‘Gada’ (mace) at the rally by party’s senior leaders,” a source in Ghazipur told ET on phone.

Aditya, chairman of the UP’s Pradeshik Cooperative Federation, also addressed the rally. “It was unforgettable moment for me. I delivered my first speech at such a big show in presence of Netaji ( Mulayam Singh),” Aditya told ET.

Eastern UP, which sends more than 100 MLAs to UP assembly, is considered to be the stronghold of the SP. Mulayam’s Ghazipur rally was politically significant in view of BJP’s ongoing efforts to expand its influence over OBC voters in this region.

Addressing the rally, SP chief Mulayam publicly defended his decision to allow the merger of QED and gave full credit to Shivpal for strengthening the party in East UP by this particular move. He also hoped the QED’s merger will benefit the SP in the polls.

Two Ansari brothers— former M P A f z a l A n s a r i a n d Mohamedabad MLA Sibgatullah Ansari —were also present at the rally. Controversial MLA Mukhtar Ansari is in jail currently.

In his speech, SP Chief Mulayam focused on the problems which people are facing because of demonetisation.

He also expressed his concern over the situation at border with Pakistan. He made party workers realise the importance of the rally by referring to his presence at a time when Parliament is in session. He appealed people to ensure return of the SP to power with absolute majority.