If Shivpal Yadav leaves SP, party will get divided: Mulayam Singh Yadav

LUCKNOW: Striking a balance in the family fight, Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday sided with his younger brother Shivpal Yadav who is seen as an equal to CM Akhilesh Yadav and Ram Gopal Yadav.

At a flag-hoisting programme on the occasion of Independence Day, Mulayam said if Shivpal leaves the party, it will get divided into factions.

“If I stand up, the government will have to face the heat... ministers are serving their own interests. Shivpal has offered to resign twice but I stopped him. If he leaves, the party will be weakened, ” Mulayam said in presence of Akhilesh Yadav.

Mulayam’s strong support for Shivpal came a day after he expressed anguish at functioning of some leaders and officers.

Shivpal, who holds nearly a dozen ministeries, had on Sunday said some leaders were into land grabbing and other illegal activities which was bringing a bad name to the government. He said some officers were not following his orders.

“I will not allow such things to damage the party. Or else it is better that I resign,” Shivpal had said.

Shivpal, who has worked closely with his elder brother Mulayam for more than two decades, was reportedly upset over several of his decisions, including alliance with Mukhtar Ansari’s Qaumi Ekta Dal and Ajit Singh’s Rashtriya Lok Dal, being shot down.

Shivpal’s supporters feel Ram Gopal has influenced several controversial decisions of the government which will not bear well with the people.

After Mulayam’s intervention, a family meeting was called late in the evening. Sources said that Mulayam may give approval for merging of Mukhtar Ansari’s Qaumi Ekta Dal with SP very soon.