UP CM Akhilesh Yadav signals rapproachment with uncle Shivpal Yadav

LUCKNOW: The much-anticipated truce within the Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh was initiated on Saturday, with the governor issuing notice for restoring all departments that were divested and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav declaring that he would extend all support to his uncle Shivpal, with whom he was locked in a bitter turf war, following the latter’s appointment as SP's state unit president. Akhilesh, however, retained the important PWD ministry which Shivpal had been divested of, but as consolation he was allowed to keep the additional portfolios of minor irrigation and medical education.

Earlier in the day, supporters of Akhilesh and Shivpal indulged in hectic sloganeering at the party office which soon became acrimonious. Sensing trouble Mulayam Singh Yadav called the workers inside and in a closed doormeeting gave them a earful. He said that Shivpal has contributed the most to the party and when he was away as defence minister he carried out all tasks. "Why was Shivpal divested of ministries? If there was a problem it could have been discussed," he said. Mulayam also pulled up Akhilesh, saying "we did all that he wanted in 2014 but what happened — only five family members could win. He is taking out a rath yatra, but we have taken out so many rath yatras".

Akhilesh with wife MP Dimple had lunch with Shivpal and his family, and later told the media that he congratulated Shivpal for the new post of state SP chief.

He said that politics was not a game but serious business and he had tried to bring fresh ideas. He asked workers to spread the government’s achievements and help form the next government. "I have congratulated SP's UP unit president Shivpal Yadav, after meeting him at his residence. I will extend all my support to Shivpalji," Akhilesh told reporters, trying to drive home the point that all is well in the party.

Asked about his demand on ticket distribution, Akhilesh said, "It's going to be my examination (in elections).... Politics is not a game for me, it is a serious business. I am a player... have played football and cricket also... I don’t score self goals," he said.