Lucknow: The high-voltage drama in Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajawdi Party came to its logical end with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday rejecting his uncle Shivpal's resignation from the state government and party chief Mulayam batting for unity in family.
Playing a peacemaker, SP patriarch Mulayam said that there can be no divide in the party till he is alive. As part of the peace deal, Gayatri Prajapati, the sacked minister, has been reinstated.
Hailing Shivpal, Akhilesh today said, ''He is my chacha (uncle) and I have always respected him . I can't accept his resignation.''
''Every body respects Netaji and his words will be final and acceptable to all,'' the Chief Minister added.
The move came shortly after Shivpal resigned from the state cabinet and all party positions.
Shivpal Yadav also displayed a show of strength outside his home in Lucknow this morning.
Hundreds of supporters of Shivpal protested outside his house demanding senior leader Ramgopal Yadav's resignation. They said Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has undermined Shivpal's position in the party and that he should apologise for this.
Shivpal, however, made it clear that he will continue to follow Mulayam's orders.
"I wish to strengthen the Samajwadi Party. We are all with Netaji (Mulayam). Netaji's wishes are our command. Today, Netaji will come to the party office. In every situation, we will be with him. We are with Netaji and will state our viewpoint to Netaji," Shivpal said.
The feud within the party broke out a few months before the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections which are due in early 2017. Shivpal being a prominent leader in the party, his resignation came as a huge setback.
Moreover, Shivpal is not an easy nut to crack and has now asked Mulayam that both Akhilesh and Ram Gopal Yadav must be removed from the party, said sources. He has told Mulayam that he is not interested in holding mere portfolios and that equality to chief minister's post is paramount, the sources said.
In a meeting with Shivpal, Mulayam told his younger brother that Akhilesh is not listening to him.
Sources said that Akhilesh wants to settle the leadership issue once and for all. The CM might agree to return the portfolios, but Shivpal is now asking for much more.
Shivpal had resigned on Thursday evening and submitted his resignation to Mulayam and Akhilesh. Shivpal's wife Sarla too resigned from her post at the Etawah District Co-operative Bank.
With PTI inputs
