A Meeting Of 3 Yadavs As Crisis Deepens In UP's Ruling Party

Lucknow: Several lawmakers from the Samajwadi Party who have not been named as party candidates this time, today said they will contest the Uttar Pradesh elections, signaling a revolt that the state's ruling party can ill-afford. These lawmakers are close to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and were emerging from a meeting at his Lucknow residence on Thursday evening when they struck the aggressive stance.

Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has delivered another big snub to son Akhilesh by leaving out several of his key aides from a list of 325 candidates that he released yesterday. Candidates that the Chief Minister had fiercely opposed, but were backed by his uncle Shivpal Yadav, made the list.  

"We will fight elections...you will find out how," said Atul Pradhan, a close confidant of Akhilesh Yadav, adding, "you will find out how. We have met the chief minister and I am sure things will be sorted out. But we will fight."

Akhilesh Yadav had at a morning meeting assured his supporters that he would appeal to his father and party boss to reconsider their candidacy. Also present at his meeting with his father was uncle Shivpal Yadav, who is the party's UP chief and has engaged in a no-holds-barred power battle with the Chief Minister.  

"Some people who can win elections have not been given ticket. I will go and speak to Netaji (Mulayam Singh)," Akhilesh Yadav had said. Samajwadi Party lawmaker and Akhilesh supporter Uday Veer Singh said, "the Chief Minister has always fought for justice and he will continue to do so." He refused to comment on whether "a new party will be formed."

Mulayam Singh made it clear on Wednesday that he is boss. "I have not gone by any one list, many people had given lists, and I have gone by my choice," he said, also reiterating that the party would not project anyone for Chief Minister.

Hours later, Akhilesh Yadav signaled a fight back by sacking two party leaders, husband and wife, from their government posts. They are close to Shivpal Yadav.

In Akhilesh Yadav's bitter feud with his uncle - constructed around who shall call the shots in selecting candidates for the UP elections - Mulayam Singh has consistently sided with Shivpal Yadav.