Mulayam or Akhilesh: Debate continues as UP poll results near

LUCKNOW: With SP sniffing power in Uttar Pradesh, a debate has started on who would be its chief minister in the likelihood of the party forming a government after the results on March 6.

In pics: Those who matter in UP politics

While SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has chosen to remain mum, his brother Shivpal Singh has thrown open the debate by stating that the Yadav senior remains the tallest leader of the party and would be the CM.

"There is only one universally regarded leader in our party and that is Mulayam Singh Yadav. He will be the chief minister," said Shivpal Singh on Sunday.

Shivpal Singh is the leader of opposition in the UP assembly. The emergence of Akhilesh within the SP power structure over the last one year has seen Shivpal's role being curtailed to a large extent and his statements are being viewed in that light.

It especially contrasts with what another Yadav family member and Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav had to say on the issue.

SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav had on Saturday said that Akhilesh had worked hard in these elections and had emerged as a natural claimant of Mulayam's legacy. "I would personally be happy if Akhilesh Yadav becomes the chief minister," Ram Gopal Yadav had said.

On his part, Akhilesh has been repeatedly saying that if SP comes to power Mulayam would become the chief minister.