Lok Sabha elections 2014: Mulayam Singh Yadav off to Delhi to work out results equations

LUCKNOW: Trashing exit poll results which predict a disaster for the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the general elections, party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav left for Delhi on Wednesday morning to lay the ground for his idea of a Third Front which, although, might have to be tweaked from its earlier version.

Initially, Mulayam was to fly to Delhi on Tuesday evening but the schedule was changed at the last minute. Before his departure, Mulayam took a few calls from his friends including Communist Party of India (CPI) leader AB Vardhan and the party's West Bengal in charge Kironmay Nanda.

In Delhi, the SP chief is expected to be joined by sitting Rajya Sabha MP and party's chief strategist Ram Gopal Yadav later in the evening.

Mulayam's son and party state president Akhilesh Yadav-also the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh-is set to leave for Delhi on Friday, the day of results. Senior leader Nmulayam aresh Agarwal, who returned to his native town Hardoi on Wednesday after a short vacation, is likely to join the trio the same night.

The SP chief is scheduled to meet party office bearers from West Bengal, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh-states where SP has fielded candidates-to assess its performance and also that of other parties, particularly possible constituents of the Third Front.

Mulayam is believed to have discussed the idea of not treating some of UPA's constituents as untouchables, irrespective of SP's relations with them.

Wth the Left parties having already expressed their willingness to be a part of a formation which also has their "till now" arch rival Mamata Banerjee, Mulayam, too, is likely make the best of the opportunity to extend a hand a friendship towards the Bengal chief minister.

The SP has continued its tradition of not fielding candidates against members of the Congress's first family in Amethi and Rae Bareilly.

With Aam Admi Party's Kumar Vishwas and Bharatiya Janata Party's Smriti Irani pitted against Rahul in Amethi, Mulayam's concept of political etiquette is likely to appear more meaningful to the Congress leadership than ever before. This may also come in handy for Mulayam in case he needs some help from the Congress in return.