Mulayam and Akhilesh are very much together: SP’s new UP chief Naresh Uttam Patel

Samajwadi Party’s newly-appointed president of UP, Naresh Uttam Patel, dismissed growing talk of an imminent split in the party amid continuing standoff between the factions led by the party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son and CM Akhilesh Yadav. Patel, appointed by Akhilesh, told ET’s Prerna Katiyar in an exclusive interview that SP will soon release its final list of candidates, with Akhilesh’s seal of approval and consent of the others in the party. Excerpts:

What are your immediate goals?
The state has seen unprecedented development under Akhilesh. The election will be fought on the development agenda.


What are SP’s chances in the upcoming election?
We are going to win the election with a clear majority under the leadership of Akhilesh Yadav.

Which party is SP’s main opponent?
We are not seeing any strong contender. It is Akhilesh who is well ahead of others.

Do you think the family feud will hurt SP’s prospects and Muslims may drift to BSP?
I don’t think so. First, the father and son are very much together. Secondly, Muslims want development, job and communal harmony. And Akhilesh has done enough on all these fronts.

Is SP headed for a split?
No father will work to the detriment of his son. Mulayam Singh ji is a neta (leader) and he is also a father. Our fight is not within but with the polarising elements in the country.

How long have you been associated with Mulayam?
In 1980, when Netaji was Lok Dal state president, I started my career under his guidance as a student leader. I become MLA and MLC, twice each, and in his first government formed in 1990 I was a minister.

How do you view Mulayam Singh’s assertion that Shivpal Yadav should be given the post of SP’s state president?
I do not believe that Netaji will say something of this sort and, even if he did, let me clarify that I am not here for any post or office. I am here to strengthen the principles of Netaji and I will be more than happy to relinquish this post and work at the cadre level.

When is SP likely to release its final list of candidates?
A final list will be out very, very soon